2011 Ford S-Max MOT pass rate: 68.2% (18,961 tests)
Is the 2011 S-Max getting worse?
Pass rate of 2011-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 69.5% -0.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 67.8% -1.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 67.0% -1.4 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2011 S-Max
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 3,120 | 20.5% |
| 2 | Tyres | 2,729 | 17.9% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 2,495 | 16.4% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,977 | 13.0% |
| 5 | Brakes | 1,974 | 13.0% |
| 6 | Steering | 839 | 5.5% |
All S-Max years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,378 | 57.4% | -7.0 pts | 136,318 |
| 2007 | 13,501 | 59.9% | -5.2 pts | 139,194 |
| 2008 | 13,325 | 62.6% | -2.6 pts | 137,868 |
| 2009 | 17,253 | 63.4% | -3.0 pts | 130,552 |
| 2010 | 25,849 | 66.2% | -1.2 pts | 121,865 |
| 2011 (this page) | 18,961 | 68.2% | -1.0 pts | 116,041 |
| 2012 | 20,648 | 67.2% | -4.0 pts | 106,774 |
| 2013 | 18,462 | 67.7% | -5.6 pts | 96,990 |
| 2014 | 19,320 | 69.8% | -6.1 pts | 88,437 |
| 2015 | 9,767 | 76.7% | -2.0 pts | 76,666 |
| 2016 | 20,367 | 82.0% | +0.6 pts | 68,399 |
| 2017 | 15,666 | 83.2% | -0.8 pts | 61,882 |
| 2018 | 7,103 | 84.4% | -2.0 pts | 49,013 |
| 2019 | 6,864 | 81.8% | -6.6 pts | 42,383 |
| 2020 | 3,447 | 85.4% | -4.5 pts | 32,792 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Ford S-Max years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2011 Ford S-Max reliable?
2011-registered examples passed 68.2% of their MOT tests (18,961 tests, 2023–2025), -1.0 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 15 years old with a median 116,041 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2011 S-Max?
The median tested example shows 116,041 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2011 S-Max?
In this cohort petrols pass 70.8% of tests against 67.7% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.