2014 Ford B Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 78,119 MOT tests analysed for the 2014 Ford B Max, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension. Its pass rate of 82.9% was above the average for MPVs of a similar age (81.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 27.7% in the 150k+ group versus 9.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 9,177 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.5% | 4,264 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.2% | 4,047 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.0% | 3,091 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.9% | 2,265 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 1,663 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stop lamp | 6,656 |
| 2 | Ball joint | 2,412 |
| 3 | Wipers | 2,090 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,894 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 1,537 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 1,472 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 27.6% | 21,530 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.9% | 13,216 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.5% | 10,567 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.2% | 7,951 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.3% | 3,367 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 3.4% | 2,645 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 12,435 | 9.1% |
| 30-60k | 38,168 | 15.3% |
| 60-90k | 21,251 | 22.1% |
| 90-120k | 5,070 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 900 | 27.2% |
| 150k+ | 242 | 27.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 63,482 | 15.8% |
| Diesel | 14,631 | 22.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,228 | 13.7% |
| 2022 | 15,528 | 15.6% |
| 2023 | 15,733 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 15,794 | 18.8% |
| 2025 | 15,836 | 20.0% |
What to check before buying a 2014 B Max
Before buying a 2014 Ford B Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 11.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (5.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (5.2% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2014 Ford B Maxs pass their MOT?
82.9% of the 78,119 2014 Ford B Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Ford B Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by tyres (5.5%).
Does the 2014 B Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 0-30k band to 27.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 78,119 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.