Ford S Max (2011)
2011 Ford S Max
CarHunch analysed 7,817 real MOT records for the 2011 Ford S Max.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 2011 Ford S-Max falls slightly short of the UK average with a 77.5% first-time pass rate, and that gap widens when you learn that 56% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—well above acceptable thresholds for a family car. Diesel and petrol variants perform nearly identically (77.4% vs 78.5%), so fuel choice won't meaningfully improve your odds.
At 83,000 miles median, these cars are showing realistic wear for their age, but they're failing three times per test on average and racking up 25 advisories—suggesting deferred maintenance rather than inherent design weakness. Before committing to a used S-Max, insist on a full pre-purchase inspection focusing on the dangerous defect categories (likely suspension and steering given the model), and factor in imminent bills for common failures.
The 2011 Ford S Max has a decent first-time pass rate (77.6%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 7,817 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.
What tends to go wrong
Across 7,817 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 7,817 Ford S Max cars.
Before you buy a 2011 Ford S Max
Based on MOT data from 7,817 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
56% 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. -
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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
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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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (86%) | 6,703 | 77.4% | 3.45 |
| Petrol (14%) | 1,114 | 78.5% | 3.25 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 99,579 Ford S Max vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 Ford S Max 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.
Half of all 2011 Ford S Max vehicles fall between 67,502 and 102,164 miles.
2011 Ford S Max — Still on the Road
Most 2011 Ford S Maxs are still being driven.
5,748 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 78% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* 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
Or browse all models: Ford →
Compare with another model
See how the 2011 Ford S Max stacks up against a rival.