2008 Ford S Max — MOT failures & pass rate
35,071 MOT tests on the 2008 Ford S Max are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. MPVs of a similar age fail at 28.2%, so the 2008 S Max sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 16.9% of all tests — 3.1 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, stop lamp and pins and bushes — position lamp alone was recorded 2,306 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 S Max fails 25.0% of the time in the 0-30k band and 28.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 26.8% of the time against 27.6% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 44.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 25.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 29.3% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.9% | 5,938 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.8% | 4,833 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.5% | 2,644 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.4% | 2,609 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.1% | 1,779 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.7% | 1,642 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,306 |
| 2 | Stop lamp | 2,266 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 2,123 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,705 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,619 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 1,428 |
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 | 44.1% | 15,452 |
| 2 | Tyres | 34.5% | 12,091 |
| 3 | Brakes | 28.4% | 9,946 |
| 4 | Other defects | 19.2% | 6,741 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 6,152 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 13.0% | 4,564 |
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 | 60 | 25.0% |
| 30-60k | 402 | 18.4% |
| 60-90k | 2,833 | 23.4% |
| 90-120k | 9,300 | 26.5% |
| 120-150k | 11,657 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 10,766 | 28.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 32,354 | 27.6% |
| Petrol | 2,717 | 26.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,925 | 25.9% |
| 2022 | 8,287 | 27.4% |
| 2023 | 7,238 | 27.5% |
| 2024 | 5,923 | 28.7% |
| 2025 | 4,698 | 29.3% |
What to check before buying a 2008 S Max
On a 2008 S Max, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.8% 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 (7.5% 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 2008 Ford S Maxs pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 35,071 2008 Ford S Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Ford S Max?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.9% of tests, followed by suspension (13.8%).
Does the 2008 S Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.0% in the 0-30k band to 28.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,071 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.