Diesel Ford S-Max: MOT pass rate
70.1% of diesel Ford S-Max pass the MOT first time, measured across 66,391 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 106,243.
Diesel against the other Ford S-Max versions
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 70.1% | 66,391 |
| Petrol | 73.9% | 6,630 |
| All Ford S-Max | 70.5% | 73,026 |
Why the fuel type changes the number
Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.
On the Ford S-Max specifically, petrol is the strongest at 73.9%, and this diesel version sits 0.4 points below the 70.5% model average.
What it means if you are buying one
There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.
Mileage is part of the answer
The average diesel Ford S-Max had covered 106,243 miles at test, against 87,189 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.
Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Ford S-Max page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.
Other Ford S-Max fuel types
- Petrol Ford S-Max - 73.9%