2019 Ford S-Max petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Ford S-Max petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Ford S-Max petrol than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Headlights11.6× usual
  Ford S-Max

  9.3% All 2019 cars

  0.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.2%, against 0.8% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Ford S-Max

  17.5% All 2019 cars

  10.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.8% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Wipers2.4× usual
  Ford S-Max

  7.4% All 2019 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.3%, against 2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

  At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

• Number plates4.1× usual
  Ford S-Max

  4.5% All 2019 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.2% of all 2019 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Common 2019 Ford S-Max petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 Ford S-Max petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  31% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Brakes
  20% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  15% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Seats and seatbelts
  10% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  10% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Suspension
  1% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

Known faults on the 2019 Ford S-Max petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• May have a timing belt that runs in oil (1.5 EcoBoost)

  1.5 EcoBoost petrol

  Ford used both wet timing belts and timing chains on its 1.5 EcoBoost petrol. A wet belt can break down if oil changes are late, starving the engine of oil. A Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN which this car has.

  At the viewing: Ask whether it has a belt or a chain, and for a full service history with the right oil.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2019 Ford S-Max petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Does it have a timing belt or chain, and when was the belt last changed?
2. Any recent work on the headlights? (Flagged at MOT 11.6× as often on the 2019 Ford S-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2019 Ford S-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the wipers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2019 Ford S-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?