Car statistics
How many Ford S-Maxes are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 67,926 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 60,715 Ford S-Maxes licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 4,732 declared off the road (SORN). That is 29.5% fewer than the peak of 86,095 in 2018.
Numbers peaked in 2018 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 4,982 |
| 2007 | 15,433 |
| 2008 | 24,605 |
| 2009 | 33,374 |
| 2010 | 44,370 |
| 2011 | 52,061 |
| 2012 | 60,274 |
| 2013 | 67,074 |
| 2014 | 73,480 |
| 2015 | 76,352 |
| 2016 | 81,731 |
| 2017 | 85,566 |
| 2018 | 86,095 |
| 2019 | 85,678 |
| 2020 | 83,493 |
| 2021 | 81,371 |
| 2022 | 78,265 |
| 2023 | 73,688 |
| 2024 | 68,041 |
| 2025 | 62,440 |
| 2026 | 60,715 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
The Ford S-Max Titan Indiv has its own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Ford S-Max Titan Indiv | 165 | 29 |
In 2025, 64.6% of Ford S-Max MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Ford S-Maxes tested pass 67.8% of the time, so the Ford S-Max does worse than average for its age, by 3.2 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 64.8%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Ford S-Max | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 81.5% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 80.3% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 77.0% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 75.1% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 61.4% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 55.3% | 58.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment is the most common reason a Ford S-Max fails its MOT, appearing on 39.6% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 11.6% of Ford S-Max tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 39.6% |
| Suspension | 29.0% |
| Tyres | 28.4% |
| Brakes | 20.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 16.5% |
| Visibility | 13.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.1% |
| Steering | 8.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Ford S-Max failed its MOT in 2025 was “Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, on 10.5% of 24,024 failed tests. 66.3% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 10.5% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 10.4% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.1% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 8.3% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 7.6% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 7.5% |
| Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.4% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension | 5.6% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.4% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 5.3% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 29.2% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 14.8% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 11.6% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 10.9% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 9.1% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.2% |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 6.9% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 6.1% |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread Identification of the vehicle | 6.0% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 5.8% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
17 years of the Ford S-Max, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2016 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (75.8% passed first time) and the 2019 cars worst (73.6%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | – | 1,196 | 50.1% |
| 2007 | – | 3,483 | 52.1% |
| 2008 | – | 3,561 | 53.4% |
| 2009 | – | 4,787 | 55.9% |
| 2010 | – | 7,726 | 58.0% |
| 2011 | – | 5,950 | 60.8% |
| 2012 | – | 6,608 | 60.1% |
| 2013 | – | 6,115 | 61.2% |
| 2014 | 7,376 | 6,501 | 64.0% |
| 2015 | 3,732 | 3,262 | 69.2% |
| 2016 | 7,401 | 6,892 | 75.8% |
| 2017 | 5,689 | 5,288 | 78.6% |
| 2018 | 2,483 | 2,390 | 80.7% |
| 2019 | 2,384 | 2,263 | 73.6% |
| 2020 | 1,172 | 1,118 | 80.4% |
| 2021 | 692 | 652 | 80.3% |
| 2022 | 756 | 714 | 81.3% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Ford S-Max covers 8,370 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 9,519 |
| 6–7 years | 9,249 |
| 8–10 years | 8,866 |
| 11–14 years | 8,345 |
| 15–19 years | 7,666 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Ford S-Maxes for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 11,925 in 2010. In 2025, 28 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 0 |
| ’04 | 0 |
| ’05 | 0 |
| ’06 | 5,602 |
| ’07 | 11,797 |
| ’08 | 9,364 |
| ’09 | 9,292 |
| ’10 | 11,925 |
| ’11 | 8,366 |
| ’12 | 8,783 |
| ’13 | 7,591 |
| ’14 | 7,931 |
| ’15 | 3,815 |
| ’16 | 7,710 |
| ’17 | 5,951 |
| ’18 | 2,541 |
| ’19 | 2,430 |
| ’20 | 1,197 |
| ’21 | 725 |
| ’22 | 786 |
| ’23 | 709 |
| ’24 | 59 |
| ’25 | 28 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 65,235 Ford S-Maxes licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 79.3% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 6.9% have an engine of 1,501cc to 1,600cc. The share with an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc has fallen from 12.5% in 2014 to 2.6%.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 51,721 licensed | 79.3% |
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 4,531 licensed | 6.9% |
| 2,101cc to 2,200cc 4,150 licensed | 6.4% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 1,694 licensed | 2.6% |
| Other sizes 3,139 licensed | 4.8% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Diesel | 48,815 | 74.8% |
| 2,101–2,200cc | Diesel | 4,150 | 6.4% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Diesel | 3,758 | 5.8% |
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 2,906 | 4.5% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Diesel | 1,694 | 2.6% |
| 1,401–1,500cc | Petrol | 1,283 | 2.0% |
| 2,401–2,500cc | Hybrid | 1,218 | 1.9% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Petrol | 773 | 1.2% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,501–1,600cc | 2,101–2,200cc | 1,701–1,800cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 70.7% | 7.8% | 6.9% | 12.5% |
| 2015 | 71.8% | 7.5% | 6.8% | 11.7% |
| 2016 | 74.1% | 6.8% | 6.3% | 10.7% |
| 2017 | 75.9% | 6.1% | 6.0% | 9.7% |
| 2018 | 76.6% | 6.0% | 5.8% | 9.1% |
| 2019 | 77.0% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 8.4% |
| 2020 | 77.7% | 6.0% | 5.9% | 7.7% |
| 2021 | 78.3% | 6.1% | 5.9% | 6.7% |
| 2022 | 78.5% | 6.2% | 6.0% | 5.7% |
| 2023 | 78.5% | 6.5% | 6.1% | 4.7% |
| 2024 | 79.0% | 6.7% | 6.2% | 3.5% |
| 2025 | 79.3% | 6.9% | 6.4% | 2.6% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 91.6% | 8.4% | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 91.7% | 8.3% | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 91.6% | 8.4% | 0.0% |
| 2017 | 91.6% | 8.4% | 0.0% |
| 2018 | 91.6% | 8.4% | 0.0% |
| 2019 | 91.3% | 8.7% | 0.0% |
| 2020 | 91.4% | 8.6% | 0.0% |
| 2021 | 91.3% | 8.7% | 0.0% |
| 2022 | 90.8% | 8.5% | 0.7% |
| 2023 | 90.0% | 8.5% | 1.4% |
| 2024 | 89.8% | 8.5% | 1.6% |
| 2025 | 89.6% | 8.6% | 1.9% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Ford S-Max from 2006 to 2024. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2024), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel and petrol hybrid versions ranges from 31.4 to 47.1 mpg, with CO2 of 146 to 206 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2006 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol, diesel and other fuel versions ranges from 25.9 to 56.5 mpg, with CO2 of 129 to 232 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 petrol | 31.4–34.0 | 188–206 | 2019 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 1 |
| 2.0 diesel | 37.7–47.1 | 157–196 | 2019–2024 | Euro 6d‑TEMP to Euro 6d | 19 |
| 2.5 petrol hybrid | 42.2–44.1 | 146–153 | 2021–2024 | Euro 6d | 3 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 petrol | 43.5 | 149 | 2015–2018 | Euro 6 to Euro 6c | 6 |
| 1.6 petrol | 41.5 | 159 | 2012–2015 | Euro 5 | 8 |
| 2.0 petrol | 34.0–35.8 | 180–194 | 2006–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6c | 40 |
| 2.3 petrol | 29.1 | 232 | 2008–2011 | Euro 4 | 7 |
| 2.5 petrol | 30.1 | 224 | 2006–2011 | Euro 4 | 8 |
| 1.6 diesel | 54.3 | 139 | 2012–2015 | Euro 5 | 8 |
| 1.8 diesel | 45.6 | 164 | 2006–2011 | Euro 4 | 17 |
| 2.0 diesel | 38.7–56.5 | 129–193 | 2006–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6d‑TEMP | 144 |
| 2.2 diesel | 39.8–42.8 | 174–189 | 2008–2015 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 24 |
| 2.0 other fuel | 25.9–34.9 | 179–194 | 2008–2012 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 9 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 23 safety recalls for the Ford S-Max since 1992, the first in 2006. The most recent was launched on 5 May 2026.
All 23 Ford S-Max recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Ford S-Max. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford S-Max | 60,715 | −8.9% | 4,732 | 127 | Diesel |
| Ford Fiesta | 1,249,904 | −5.2% | 111,058 | 1 | Petrol |
| Ford Focus | 857,445 | −6.6% | 100,497 | 4 | Petrol |
| Ford Kuga | 367,678 | +3.9% | 7,528 | 17 | Diesel |
| Ford Puma | 244,729 | +27.6% | 6,445 | 30 | Hybrid |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 65,447 S-Max records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 67,926 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
