2007 Ford S-Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 38,403 MOT tests analysed for the 2007 Ford S-Max, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 70.6% was in line with the average for MPVs of a similar age (70.8%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 17.8% | 6,816 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.6% | 5,971 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.5% | 3,251 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.7% | 2,963 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.9% | 2,282 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.1% | 1,971 |
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 | 2,696 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 2,600 |
| 3 | Suspension arm | 2,202 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 2,112 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 2,089 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 2,028 |
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 | 46.2% | 17,747 |
| 2 | Tyres | 34.0% | 13,072 |
| 3 | Brakes | 29.6% | 11,386 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.9% | 7,623 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 7,503 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.5% | 5,186 |
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 | 329 | 34.9% |
| 30-60k | 303 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,753 | 25.8% |
| 90-120k | 9,241 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 12,484 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 12,771 | 30.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 33,386 | 29.6% |
| Petrol | 5,017 | 27.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,733 | 28.7% |
| 2022 | 9,453 | 28.7% |
| 2023 | 7,923 | 30.0% |
| 2024 | 5,950 | 30.1% |
| 2025 | 4,344 | 30.4% |
What to check before buying a 2007 S-Max
Before buying a 2007 Ford S-Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 17.8% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (17.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (15.6% 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.
- Brakes (8.5% 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 2007 Ford S-Maxs pass their MOT?
70.6% of the 38,403 2007 Ford S-Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Ford S-Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by suspension (15.6%).
Does the 2007 S-Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 34.9% in the 0-30k band to 30.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 38,403 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.