Used car guide

2008 Ford S-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Ford S-MAXs, from 3,545 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,545MOT tests in 2025
53%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
8,400typical miles a year
4.9×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Ford S-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Suspension arm4.9× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    18.2% All 2008 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5.7%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Brake pads2× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    17.7% All 2008 cars
    8.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Link ball joint covers2.6× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    9.1% All 2008 cars
    3.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 1.9% of all 2008 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.

  • Shock absorbers1.7× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    13.7% All 2008 cars
    8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2.1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Sub-frame1.7× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    13.5% All 2008 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1% here, against 9.6% of all 2008 cars. Drive shaft (CV) joints: 2.6% here, against 7.2% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Ford S-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    63% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    42% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    42% 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.

  • Brakes
    35% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    17% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Ford S-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
2022751Tyres 26%
2021710Tyres 31%
20201,144Tyres 31%
20192,298Tyres 34%
20182,392Tyres 35%
20175,246Tyres 35%
20166,850Tyres 37%
20153,273Tyres 41%
20146,290Tyres 40%
20136,010Suspension 45%
20126,641Suspension 49%
20115,991Suspension 50%
20107,831Suspension 54%
20094,882Suspension 58%
20073,293Suspension 64%
2006937Suspension 64%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Ford S-MAXs registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score