Used car guide

2018 Ford S-MAX: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2018 Ford S-MAXs, from 2,392 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,392MOT tests in 2025
81%pass first time (all 2018 cars: 81%)
8,400typical miles a year
1.7×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2018 Ford S-MAXs than on all cars registered in 2018.

  • Brake pads1.7× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    19.1% All 2018 cars
    11%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.1% of all 2018 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.

  • Engine oil leaks2.7× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    3.8% All 2018 cars
    1.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

  • Number plates2.2× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    3.7% All 2018 cars
    1.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2018 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 plate lights1.8× usual
    Ford S-MAX
    3.3% All 2018 cars
    1.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.6% of all 2018 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.

By area

The share of 2018 Ford S-MAX MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    35% 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
    25% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    11% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Seats and seatbelts
    9% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    4% 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%
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%
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 2018 Ford S-MAXs registered in 2018. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score