Ford S-Max
Registered from 2006 to 2023.
About this model
The Ford S-Max is a mid-size MPV that was produced by Ford Europe for the European market. A multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), Ford also describes the S-Max as an SAV. Introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, the S-Max went on sale alongside the new generation Ford Galaxy in May 2006.
From the Wikipedia article Ford S-Max, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2010 2.0 diesel. 2,407 of 9,533 tests failed, 25%.
Better than 39% of 2010 cars. The typical one fails 24%, across 955 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 38% | 912 |
| Suspension | 33% | 799 |
| Tyres and wheels | 30% | 731 |
| Brakes | 25% | 594 |
| Body and structure | 16% | 391 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 16% | 383 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Suspension — 33% of its failures
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- Tyres and wheels — 30% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Brakes — 25% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 16% of its failures
- Exhaust system leaking or insecure
- Lights and electrics — 38% of its failures
- A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Body and structure — 16% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 25% of its inspections, against the 28% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40–60k miles | 17% | 19% | 149 | |
| 60–80k miles | 21% | 22% | 649 | |
| 80–100k miles | 23% | 25% | 1,632 | |
| 100–120k miles | 24% | 27% | 2,320 | |
| 120–140k miles | 26% | 28% | 2,224 | |
| 140–160k miles | 28% | 28% | 1,347 | |
| 160–180k miles | 29% | 28% | 674 | |
| 180–200k miles | 26% | 28% | 293 | |
| 200k+ miles | 25% | 28% | 207 |
9,495 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 100k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.0 diesel · 168 hp · 1912 kg · 2850 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 diesel · 1901 kg · 2850 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 diesel · 1905 kg · 2850 mm wheelbase · 6.5 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 2.0 diesel · 157 hp · 1740 kg · 2850 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2.0 diesel · 166 hp · 1750 kg · 2850 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 164 hp · 1748 kg · 2850 mm wheelbase · 5.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 161 hp · 1735 kg · 2849 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 149 hp · 1690 kg · 2849 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 149 hp · 1729 kg · 2850 mm wheelbase · 5.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 1767 kg · 2843 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 145 hp · 1723 kg · 2812 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 2.0 diesel · 1734 kg · 2823 mm wheelbase · 6.1 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00141/24
The engine control unit does not correctly detect overheating, which can allow the engine to overheat, leading to a leak of engine oil. Leaking oil can drop onto the road and create a risk of injuries to other road traffic participants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0028/19
The clutch pressure plate may break. This may result in reduced vehicle performance.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00784/24
The cooling airflow is insufficient, causing the oil channel to be blocked. This leads the connecting rod bearing to seize and the connecting rod to tear off. This can deteriorate the combustion engine, resulting in a rupture in the engine oil tank or engine block, creating an oil tank leak. This increases the risk of fire under the bonnet. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01371/21
Localised overheating of the engine cylinder head can occur due to the engine not containing sufficient coolant. This may cause the cylinder head to crack, causing a pressurised oil leak that may result in a fire in the engine compartment. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0768/16
Vehicles fitted with Adaptive LED Headlamps could experience a condition where the loss of a control signal in combination with a software error may cause the headlamps to switch off. This could lead to an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1309/13
The injector O-ring/s may have been damaged during assembly which could cause a fuel leak into the cylinder head injector recess. The build up of fuel in the recess could run down the back of the engine and contact the exhaust/hot surfaces causing a risk of smoke or fire.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1331/18
The air conditioning clutch pulley plate could become loose. This plate could therefore detach and fall onto the road surface, posing a risk of accident.
Recall of the product from end users