2017 Ford S-Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 30,334 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Ford S-Max, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 86.8% was in line with the average for MPVs of a similar age (87.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.7% in the 150k+ group versus 8.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.5% | 1,956 |
| 2 | Brakes | 4.3% | 1,310 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 1,170 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,101 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.7% | 200 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 131 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,282 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,213 |
| 3 | Wipers | 999 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 524 |
| 5 | Washers | 285 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 263 |
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 | 28.0% | 8,504 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.5% | 6,822 |
| 3 | Other defects | 14.2% | 4,308 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.1% | 1,240 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 3.2% | 972 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.5% | 772 |
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 | 3,549 | 8.3% |
| 30-60k | 15,170 | 12.3% |
| 60-90k | 8,840 | 15.4% |
| 90-120k | 2,126 | 17.7% |
| 120-150k | 457 | 19.0% |
| 150k+ | 190 | 14.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 27,799 | 13.4% |
| Petrol | 2,535 | 11.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,931 | 10.4% |
| 2022 | 6,037 | 12.2% |
| 2023 | 6,128 | 13.9% |
| 2024 | 6,137 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 6,101 | 15.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 S-Max
Before buying a 2017 Ford S-Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.5% 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.
- Brakes (4.3% 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 (3.9% 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 2017 Ford S-Maxs pass their MOT?
86.8% of the 30,334 2017 Ford S-Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Ford S-Max?
Tyres, recorded in 6.5% of tests, followed by brakes (4.3%).
Does the 2017 S-Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 0-30k band to 14.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,334 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.