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

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. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, 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.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Ford S-Max

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 1.8% of tests (5.03x the national rate for this defect)
2. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 2.4% of tests (2.35x the national rate for this defect)
3. A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps, 2.1% of tests (2.31x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 3.9% of tests (2.3x the national rate for this defect)
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 4.5% of tests (2.11x the national rate for this defect)
6. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.9% of tests (1.9x the national rate for this defect)
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 5.7% of tests (1.8x the national rate for this defect)
8. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 3.2% of tests (1.77x the national rate for this defect)
9. A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 3.5% of tests (1.59x the national rate for this defect)
10. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 1.9% of tests (1.46x the national rate for this defect)

From 66,776 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford S-Max tests, 2024, split out from the Ford S-Max's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.97% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Ford S-Max

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, 1.8% of tests (4.95x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 16% of tests (3.09x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 13% of tests (2.74x the national rate for this defect)
4. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 6.3% of tests (2.36x the national rate for this defect)
5. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 18% of tests (1.93x the national rate for this defect), also fails
6. Exhaust system leaking or insecure, 5.4% of tests (1.88x the national rate for this defect), also fails
7. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 46.7% of tests (1.75x the national rate for this defect), also fails
8. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 21.7% of tests (1.62x the national rate for this defect)
9. A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play, 2% of tests (1.49x the national rate for this defect), also fails
10. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 7.4% of tests (1.34x the national rate for this defect)

From 66,776 DVSA-tracked diesel Ford S-Max tests, 2024.

Other Ford S-Max fuel types

• Petrol Ford S-Max - 73.9%

All Ford S-Max MOT data · Every model