How reliable is the Ford S-Max?
Owner-reported reliability data: inspection results, typical mileage, and the most common failures.
The Ford S-Max passes first-time inspections somewhat below the European average. The most commonly reported issues are a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements. Typical mileage by age and a year-by-year breakdown of reliability are shown below. All figures are owner-reported real-world data, not a marketing rating.
Average reliability
Based on 22,225 inspection tests. First-time pass rate: 67.7%.
Ford S-Max reliability by year
How the Ford S-Max performs at first-time inspection, broken down by the year cohort. Empty cells mean we don't have enough owner-reported data for that year yet.
| Year cohort | Pass rate | Typical mileage @ 5 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 58.5% | – |
| 2007 | 60.7% | – |
| 2008 | 63.1% | – |
| 2009 | 63.2% | – |
| 2010 | 67.7% | – |
| 2011 | 69.9% | – |
| 2012 | 68.9% | – |
| 2013 | 69% | – |
| 2014 | 70.4% | – |
| 2015 | 77.8% | – |
| 2016 | 83.4% | – |
| 2017 | 84.2% | 82,312 km |
| 2018 | 84.4% | 70,797 km |
| 2019 | 82.9% | 71,147 km |
| 2020 | 87.4% | 58,505 km |
| 2021 | 85.7% | – |
| 2022 | 96.1% | – |
Model-level pattern, not per-car prediction
These figures describe the Ford S-Max as a model. The reliability of any individual Ford S-Max also depends on service history, accident history, and how it was driven. Run a free VIN check to see the records attached to a specific car you're considering.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford S-Max reliable?
Based on owner-reported inspection records, the Ford S-Max passes first-time inspections somewhat below the European average. Its first-time inspection pass rate sits around 68%. Reliability varies by year and engine: see the year-by-year breakdown on this page for the specific cohort you're considering.
What are the common problems on the Ford S-Max?
The most common owner-reported issues are: A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (3.4% of inspections); A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (2.4% of inspections); Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (2.4% of inspections); a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm (1.9% of inspections); A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps (1.8% of inspections).
What mileage is normal for a Ford S-Max?
For a typical Ford S-Max, owner-reported average mileage works out to about – at 3 years, – at 5 years, and – at 10 years. The mileage section on this page shows the full distribution, high-use vs low-use cars often differ by a factor of three.
How do I check a specific Ford S-Max before buying?
Enter the 17-character VIN on Carlytics. The free check shows decoded specs and open safety recalls. The full vehicle history report (from EUR 8.90) cross-references owner-reported issues, mileage records, and stolen-vehicle databases for the specific car, model-level reliability tells you the pattern, the VIN check tells you the car.