Used car guide

2013 Ford B-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2013 Ford B-MAXs, from 14,520 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

14,520MOT tests in 2025
64%pass first time (all 2013 cars: 66%)
5,500typical miles a year
8×the usual rate for seat belts

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2013 Ford B-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2013.

  • Seat belts8× usual
    Ford B-MAX
    8.8% All 2013 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 0.4% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£250 our estimate

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock and retract smoothly.

  • Ball joint2.5× usual
    Ford B-MAX
    12.5% All 2013 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.2%, against 2.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake lights2.8× usual
    Ford B-MAX
    9.9% All 2013 cars
    3.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 9.3%, against 2.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Steering swivel joints6.6× usual
    Ford B-MAX
    5.3% All 2013 cars
    0.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.2% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Headlights1.6× usual
    Ford B-MAX
    6% All 2013 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 2.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Better than most

Suspension arm bushes and joints: 2.3% here, against 8.7% of all 2013 cars. Number plate lights: 1.7% here, against 6.1% of all 2013 cars.

By area

The share of 2013 Ford B-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    34% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    28% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    22% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    8% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    5% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at a Ford B-MAX?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2018688Tyres 29%
20175,779Tyres 29%
20167,151Tyres 31%
20159,815Tyres 33%
201412,875Tyres 35%
20122,877Suspension 36%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2013 Ford B-MAXs registered in 2013. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score