Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2013 Ford S Max?

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 2013 Ford S Max?

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 2013 Ford S Max?

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.

How many 2013 Ford S Max vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

56% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2013 Ford S Max reliable?

Based on MOT data from 7,070 vehicles, the 2013 Ford S Max has a first-time MOT pass rate of 78.2%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2013 Ford S Max?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2013 Ford S Max are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (74.3% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (73.5% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (55.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2013 Ford S Max?

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 (2013)

7,070 real MOT outcomes analysed • 78.2% first-time pass rate

2013 Ford S Max

CarHunch analysed 7,070 real MOT records for the 2013 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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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2013 Ford S-MAX has a first-time pass rate of 78.1%, slightly below the UK average of 80%, and a significant concern emerges in the dangerous defect figures: 56.3% of these vehicles have recorded at least one dangerous fault during their MOT history, well above typical thresholds. Petrol versions perform better at 81.8% pass rate compared to diesel at 78%, though the diesel makes up 97% of the market for this model.

These S-MAXes are averaging around 71,300 miles at test, which is reasonable for an 11-year-old car, but the real issue is the advisory count at 20.8 per vehicle—substantially higher than most family cars—suggesting ongoing wear and minor issues that pile up. With 2.83 failures per vehicle and that dangerous defect prevalence, budget for regular remedial work before MOT time and have any prospective purchase thoroughly inspected by a Ford-experienced mechanic, particularly checking suspension, braking components, and emissions systems.

The 2013 Ford S Max has a decent first-time pass rate (78.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

78.2%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

56.3%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

2.83

Over 12 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

68k

Middle half: 55k–84k

For context

🔧 Average reliability. Passes at roughly the UK rate — not a standout, not a problem vehicle. Individual history makes all the difference.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 20.8 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 7,070 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 7,070 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 74.3%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 55.4%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 35.4%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · …

Suspension & steering 18.2%

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded · Offside Rear Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 7,070 Ford S Max cars.

Before you buy a 2013 Ford S Max

Based on MOT data from 7,070 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 56.3% 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

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (97%)	6,875	78%	2.85
Petrol (3%)	195	81.8%	2.33

Colour Breakdown

Based on 99,579 Ford S Max vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Silver 29.4%

29,244

Black 24.1%

23,949

Grey 16.3%

16,235

Blue 14.9%

14,825

White 9.2%

9,211

Red 3.6%

3,626

Green 0.9%

900

Brown 0.7%

719

Orange 0.6%

627

Gold 0.2%

175

Purple 0%

Beige 0%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2013 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.

68,483

typical

55,326

low mileage

84,282

high mileage

Half of all 2013 Ford S Max vehicles fall between 55,326 and 84,282 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 55,326 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.

✓ 55,326–84,282 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2013 Ford S Maxs sit.

⚠ Over 113,780 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2013 Ford S Max — Still on the Road

Most 2013 Ford S Maxs are still being driven.

Strong survival — 5,764 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 85% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
* 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

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

2.83

Avg failures per vehicle

20.8

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

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Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 2013 Ford S Max stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing