2016 Ford S-Max petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Ford S-Max petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Ford S-Max petrol than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Brake pads1.7× usual
  Ford S-Max

  18.3% All 2016 cars

  10.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 2.2% of all 2016 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 plates2.9× usual
  Ford S-Max

  4.9% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2016 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.

• Exhaust system2.1× usual
  Ford S-Max

  3.6% All 2016 cars

  1.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.4% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

Common 2016 Ford S-Max petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Ford S-Max petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  32% 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
  24% 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
  10% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  4% 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 an engine warning light.

Known faults on the 2016 Ford S-Max petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• May have a timing belt that runs in oil (1.5 EcoBoost)

  1.5 EcoBoost petrol

  Ford used both wet timing belts and timing chains on its 1.5 EcoBoost petrol. A wet belt can break down if oil changes are late, starving the engine of oil. A Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN which this car has.

  At the viewing: Ask whether it has a belt or a chain, and for a full service history with the right oil.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Ford S-Max petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Does it have a timing belt or chain, and when was the belt last changed?
2. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2016 Ford S-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2016 Ford S-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2016 Ford S-Max petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?