Used car guide · 2006–2026

Ford S-Max common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Ford S-Max, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 218,650 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Ford S-Max

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Ford S-Max as a whole.

17registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006

What usually goes wrong with a Ford S-Max?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Water getting in and damaging wiring

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines

    Blocked ventilation drains are common and can let water damage the wiring loom, with big bills.

    At the viewing: Look for damp carpets and water marks, and test all the electrics.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford S-MAX buying guide (2006-2014)

  • Hard brake pedal and fuel recalls

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · Some cars

    Recalls covered a sticking brake valve that made the pedal hard (built Nov 2005 to Dec 2006 and Nov 2008 to Mar 2009), a loose fuel pipe that could cut the engine (built Feb to June 2006), panoramic sunroofs (2008 and 2010) and a fuel leak (2013).

    At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford S-MAX buying guide (2006-2014)

  • Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)

    Cars registered 2018–2024 · 2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)

    The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel drives its oil pump with a belt that runs in the engine oil. As it wears it can shed rubber and cut oil pressure, which can wreck the engine. Ford has shortened the change interval on the Transit to 6 years or 100,000 miles.

    At the viewing: Ask when the oil pump belt was last changed, and watch for an oil-pressure warning light.

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

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

    Cars registered 2014–2024 · 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

  • Electrical faults (early cars)

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · Early cars

    Early cars are prone to electrical gremlins. Check the air con, heated rear screen, auto lights, stereo and front parking sensors.

    At the viewing: Test every electrical item.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford S-MAX buying guide (2006-2014)

  • Power steering faults

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines

    The power steering can develop faults, shown by noises or odd feel.

    At the viewing: Turn lock to lock and listen.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Ford S-MAX buying guide (2006-2014)

Common Ford S-Max MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Exhaust system

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016 and 2019.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 4.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Number plates

    up to 4.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Engine oil leaks

    up to 3.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Diesel

  • Brake pads

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 6.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Number plate lights

    up to 3.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

  • Exhaust system

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

  • Number plates

    up to 4.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Hybrid

  • Headlights

    up to 18.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

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

Ford S-Max MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2016 Ford S-Max did best (78% passed first time, 1 point above all 2016 cars) and the 2019 did worst (76%, 9 points below all 2019 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202281%89% -8796
202181%87% -61,500
202081%87% -63,445
201976%85% -96,889
201881%83% -27,128
201780%80% +015,741
201678%77% +120,447
201572%74% -29,826
201464%70% -619,428
201363%67% -418,553
201262%64% -220,783
201163%62% +119,110
201059%60% -126,056
200955%59% -417,396
200854%57% -313,456
200752%57% -513,655
200650%56% -64,441

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

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

  1. Has it had any water leaks or wiring repairs?
  2. Have the brake and fuel recalls been done?
  3. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
  4. Does it have a timing belt or chain, and when was the belt last changed?
  5. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the Ford S-Max as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the Ford S-Max as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at a Ford S-Max?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score