2006 Ford S-Max — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 14,062 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Ford S-Max, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 68.5% was below the average for MPVs of a similar age (70.1%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.6% | 2,613 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 18.0% | 2,525 |
| 3 | Brakes | 8.9% | 1,251 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.8% | 1,094 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 1,016 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 802 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension arm | 1,389 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 971 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 919 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 771 |
| 5 | Exhaust system | 731 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 718 |
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 | 46.4% | 6,524 |
| 2 | Tyres | 34.4% | 4,830 |
| 3 | Brakes | 31.0% | 4,365 |
| 4 | Other defects | 23.1% | 3,250 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.5% | 2,737 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.8% | 2,079 |
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 | 177 | 39.6% |
| 30-60k | 146 | 15.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,040 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 3,379 | 31.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,588 | 31.5% |
| 150k+ | 4,330 | 31.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,659 | 32.1% |
| Petrol | 2,403 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,485 | 30.9% |
| 2022 | 3,634 | 31.5% |
| 2023 | 2,808 | 32.3% |
| 2024 | 1,884 | 31.1% |
| 2025 | 1,251 | 32.0% |
What to check before buying a 2006 S-Max
Before buying a 2006 Ford S-Max, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 18.6% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (18.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (18.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (8.9% 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 2006 Ford S-Maxs pass their MOT?
68.5% of the 14,062 2006 Ford S-Max MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 31.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Ford S-Max?
Suspension, recorded in 18.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (18.0%).
Does the 2006 S-Max get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 39.6% in the 0-30k band to 31.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 14,062 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.