Ford S-MAX - 2020
99.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2020 is 91.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Ford S-MAX, model year 2020.
Sample size: 1,222 cars, 2,656 tests and 2,634 recorded faults.
0%
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
More faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 1,222 cars
The 2020 Ford S-MAX has an overall defect rate of 99 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 10% higher than the average for its year at 90 defects per 100 vehicles. The model exhibits a notable increase in defects as mileage rises, particularly in the 62,000 to 93,000-mile range. It performs exceptionally well in the steering and body/structure categories, with defects significantly lower than the average. However, it struggles more than average in the lights & electrics, equipment, and other categories, indicating areas that may need attention for owners of this model.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 1,222 cars
More model years for Ford S-MAX
Other models from Ford
Categories
Brakes
▼ 14.8% worse
58.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 50.8 / 100 tests
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▲ 60.0% better
0.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
Visibility
▲ 14.9% better
12.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.1 / 100 tests
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: defective
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▼ 58.9% worse
17.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 11.2 / 100 tests
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- Headlamp aim unable to be tested
Wheels & Suspension
▼ 0.5% worse
98.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 97.5 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
Body/Structure
▲ 50.0% better
1.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 2.4 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- A body panel or body component: damaged or corroded and likely to cause injury when grazed or contacted, or insecure
Equipment
▼ 273.3% worse
5.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 1.5 / 100 tests
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- A seat belt: or flexible stalk damaged
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
Other
▼ 29.7% worse
4.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 3.7 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Smoke opacity levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limit
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 882
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 479
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 155
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 133
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 72
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 69
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 54
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
PRS
Occurrences: 52
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 51
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 50
Serious faults (Top 10)
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 72
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 69
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 51
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 50
Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 45
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 44
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 22
Headlamp aim unable to be tested
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
FAIL
Occurrences: 12