Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci reliable?

Based on MOT data from 114 vehicles, the 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci has a first-time MOT pass rate of 80.7%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Ford S Max Zetec Tdci (2009)

114 real MOT outcomes analysed • 80.7% first-time pass rate

2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci

CarHunch analysed 114 real MOT records for the 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2009 S-Max Zetec TDCi is a genuine reliability concern—only 48.1% pass first time against the UK average of 80%, and you should expect roughly three-quarters of a failure per vehicle on average. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so while these cars will need work, it's unlikely to be safety-critical.

At nearly 132,000 miles median mileage, these are well-used family cars, which explains the high failure rate; they've genuinely earned their repair bills through age and use rather than inherent design flaws. Before buying one, get a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on the diesel engine, suspension, and braking system—the defect pattern suggests wear items rather than catastrophic failures, but they'll be expensive to fix.

We have limited data for the 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

80.7%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.74

Over 4.1 tests on record

Moderate

Typical mileage

132k

Middle half: 116k–157k

For context

These stats describe 114 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Average reliability — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 114 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci

Based on MOT data from 114 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

131,537

typical

116,312

low mileage

157,057

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci vehicles fall between 116,312 and 157,057 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 116,312 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 116,312–157,057 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdcis sit.

⚠ Over 212,026 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdci — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 43% of 2009 Ford S Max Zetec Tdcis are still active.

Numbers are declining — 27 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (43% of peak).

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

4.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.74

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford S Max Zetec Tdci: All S Max Zetec Tdci years → Which year to buy? →

2010 2012 2013 2014

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Average reliability — agree?