2006 Ford S Max — MOT failures & pass rate
14,076 MOT tests on the 2006 Ford S Max are in this dataset, and 68.5% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.6% of the time, so this is 1.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (18.6%) and lighting & signalling (18.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are suspension arm, position lamp and stop lamp — suspension arm alone was recorded 1,390 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 31.8% versus 39.6%.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.8pp more often than petrol ones (32.1% vs 28.3%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 46.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 2,617 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 2,528 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 1,251 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.8% | 1,094 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 1,017 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 803 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension arm | 1,390 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 972 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 920 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 771 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 731 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 718 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 46.4% | 6,526 |
| 2 | Tyres | 34.3% | 4,831 |
| 3 | Brakes | 31.0% | 4,366 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.1% | 3,251 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 2,740 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 2,083 |
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 | 177 | 39.6% |
| 30-60k | 146 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,040 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,379 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,594 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 4,337 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,672 | 32.1% |
| Petrol | 2,404 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,489 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 3,636 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 2,812 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 1,887 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 1,252 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 S Max
On a 2006 S Max, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2006 Ford S Maxs pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 14,076 2006 Ford S Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Ford S Max?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.0%).
Does the 2006 S Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 39.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,076 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.