2016 Ford S-Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 39,961 MOT tests analysed for the 2016 Ford S-Max, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 85.8% was in line with the average for MPVs of a similar age (85.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.1% in the 150k+ group versus 9.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.4% | 2,972 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.6% | 1,832 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 1,587 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,427 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 291 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 214 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 1,688 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 1,681 |
| 3 | Wipers | 1,256 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 779 |
| 5 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 743 |
| 6 | Washers | 425 |
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 | 28.6% | 11,413 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.1% | 8,833 |
| 3 | Other defects | 14.6% | 5,848 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 1,803 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 1,671 |
| 6 | Suspension | 3.3% | 1,314 |
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 | 2,823 | 9.3% |
| 30-60k | 17,263 | 12.4% |
| 60-90k | 14,091 | 15.8% |
| 90-120k | 4,352 | 18.0% |
| 120-150k | 979 | 18.9% |
| 150k+ | 452 | 20.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 35,899 | 14.3% |
| Petrol | 4,062 | 13.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,898 | 12.0% |
| 2022 | 7,953 | 12.8% |
| 2023 | 7,963 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 8,005 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 8,142 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2016 S-Max
Before buying a 2016 Ford S-Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.4% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.4% 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.
- Brakes (4.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2016 Ford S-Maxs pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 39,961 2016 Ford S-Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Ford S-Max?
Tyres, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by brakes (4.6%).
Does the 2016 S-Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 39,961 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.