2014 · 10 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2014 Ford S-Max MOT pass rate and common faults

6,448 MOT tests in 2024. 63.6% passed first time, compared with 69.9% for all cars the same age.

91Well below average
Passed first time63.6%
Failed or needed repairs36.4%
Typical mileage at test89,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 6,448 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm4.3%
    418 marked dangerous
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.9%
    318 marked dangerous
  4. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed3.5%
    302 marked dangerous
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.3%
  6. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.1%
  7. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.3%
  8. Position lamp: not working2.2%
  9. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.7%
  10. Exhaust system: system insecure1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics18.3%
  2. Tyres12.8%
  3. Body & chassis10.3%
  4. Brakes9.4%
  5. Suspension7.7%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.5%
  7. Steering3.6%
  8. Emissions & leaks2.2%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm27.5%
  2. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick14.5%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn13.1%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened13.0%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure6.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2014 Ford S-Max?

In 2024, 63.6% of 2014 Ford S-Max cars passed their MOT first time, across 6,448 tests. The average for all 10-year-old cars was 69.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2014 Ford S-Max?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2014 Ford S-Max reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 91, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).