Used Ford S-Max 2015-present reliability
Category: MPV
The good-to-drive S-Max is a perennial favourite MPV of ours.
What should I look for in a used Ford S-Max MPV?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
Despite the generally durable nature of the Ford S-Max, it is still worthwhile checking the interior for any rips, tears or stains in the upholstery. These cars tend to be bought by families and private hire taxi firms, so it's possible that many different people have sat in its seats – possibly those who don’t care as much about the car as you do.
Check all the cubbies to make sure the lids covering them work as they should. The seats should slide backwards and forwards just as easily as they did when new. Then check the rear bumper, because suitcases may have been simply dragged out of the load area, dropping down onto the top of the bumper and potentially damaging it.
Also, check the alloy wheels for scrapes caused by drivers who parked, or indeed pulled up, too close to the kerb.
What are the most common problems with a used Ford S-Max MPV?
Recalls
Headlight problems
In 2016, a recall was issued that covered early Ford S-Maxes fitted with adaptive LED headlights. There could be a software error that means the headlights might switch off. The vehicles that could be affected should have received a software update to prevent this from happening.
However, it is worth checking this with a Ford dealer to make sure this has been carried out, and also check that remedial work has been carried out on the following recalls:
An A/C Compressor pulley may become detached.
The driver's airbag may not deploy correctly.
A number of vehicles fitted with a 1.0 1.5 or 1.6 Ecoboost engine and six-speed manual transmission could suffer clutch pressure plate fracture. This results in clutch smell reduced vehicle speed and performance. In the unlikely event of clutch pressure plate fracture, a noise (thud/bang) could be heard from the vicinity of the transmission in extreme cases resulting in clutch/transmission fragments being released and striking underhood components creating a risk of smoke and fire from the underhood area.
A possible thermal incident can occur within the battery monitor sensor wiring.
The Rear Suspension Toe Link bolt is exposed to corrosion growth which over time leads to reduced material and load capacity and finally to a breakage of the bolt.
Click here for more information. Contact your local Ford dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Ford S-Max MPV reliable?
The S-Max should be a reliable car. Even though there wasn’t enough data in our latest What Car? Reliability Survey to include many of the current crop of MPVs, including the S-Max, in previous surveys, the S-Max has scored highly in its class.
As a car brand, Ford as a brand ranked in 17th place out of the 32 manufacturers featured. Its overall reliability score was 91.4%, beating Renault, Seat and VW, but falling short of Mazda and Skoda.
