Used car guide

2010 Ford S-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2010 Ford S-MAXs, from 7,831 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

7,831MOT tests in 2025
58%pass first time (all 2010 cars: 59%)
8,600typical miles a year
3.3×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2010 Ford S-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2010.

  • Suspension arm3.3× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    13.7% All 2010 cars
    4.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.5% of all 2010 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 pads1.9× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    17.4% All 2010 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.8%, against 2.2% of all 2010 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.

  • Number plate lights1.7× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    15.1% All 2010 cars
    9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.1%, against 2.5% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Number plates1.7× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    7.8% All 2010 cars
    4.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2010 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.9% here, against 6.8% of all 2010 cars. Ball joint: 2.8% here, against 6.5% of all 2010 cars.

By area

The share of 2010 Ford S-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    54% 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
    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.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% 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
    33% 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
    15% 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
    12% 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?

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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%
20094,882Suspension 58%
20083,545Suspension 63%
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 2010 Ford S-MAXs registered in 2010. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score