2017 Ford S-Max MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 78.6% of Ford S-Max cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. Across 15,867 S-Max first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, brakes and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford S-Max cars first used in 2017 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2017 Ford S-Max MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, S-Max cars first used in 2017 against all cars first used in 2017 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the S-Max figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2017 S-Max | All cars first used 2017 | S-Max first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.3% | 85.9% | 5,337 |
| 2022 | 82.3% | 83.9% | 5,321 |
| 2023 | 80.6% | 81.7% | 5,318 |
| 2024 | 79.8% | 79.8% | 5,305 |
| 2025 | 78.6% | 78.2% | 5,244 |
Common 2017 Ford S-Max MOT failures
Share of the 3,226 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 19.6% | 632 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 16.6% | 536 |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | 13.7% | 442 |
| Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | 9.6% | 310 |
| Tyre condition: has ply or cords exposed | 8.1% | 262 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2017 Ford S-Max before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2017 Ford S-Max MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2017 S-Max cars, as a share of all 15,867 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 22.9% | 3,626 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 16.9% | 2,679 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.5% | 1,353 |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | 7.6% | 1,199 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 5.4% | 859 |
Questions about the 2017 Ford S-Max MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2017 Ford S-Max?
In 2025, 78.6% of S-Max cars first used in 2017 passed their MOT first time, against 78.2% for all cars first used in 2017. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2017 S-Max most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 39.9% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (27.3%) and lamps and electrical equipment (26.2%). The single most common item was “Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick” (19.6%).
How often does a 2017 Ford S-Max fail its MOT?
In 2025, 21.4% of first tests on S-Max cars first used in 2017 did not pass first time: 17.5% failed, and a further 3.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,226 of 15,867 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2017 Ford S-Max MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 22.9% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (16.9%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.5%), “Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt” (7.6%) and “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (5.4%).
Is a 2017 Ford S-Max reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 85.3% in 2021 to 78.6% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2017
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2017 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2017 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2017 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2017 Nissan Qashqai MOT statistics · 2017 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2017 S-Max?
The numbers above cover every S-Max first used in 2017 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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