How much does a 2021 FORD S-MAX cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,637 (£136/month), including £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 FORD S-MAX?

The 2021 FORD S-MAX has a 87% MOT pass rate based on 1,832 tests in 2026. This ranks 2931 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year FORD S-MAX is most reliable?

The 2020 FORD S-MAX has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 2006 at 69%.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 FORD S-MAX?

The average mileage for a 2021 FORD S-MAX is 32,060 miles, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

FORD S-MAX (2021)

Q: Is the 2021 FORD S-MAX reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 87% of FORD S-MAXs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 1,832 tests. That's 5 points above the national average of 82%.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 1,832 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,637

£136/month

MOT Pass Rate

87%

Good

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1995cc Diesel

Solid Option

87% pass rate, £1637/year to run. 5 points above average.

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Diesel1995cc5 years old1,832 tests32k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 1995cc)

~48 mpg

£1,037

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,637

Per month£136/mo

Per week£31/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

87% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%.

At 5 years old, 87% of FORD S-MAXs from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 1,832 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 32,060 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars2931th of 3,373(top 87%)

Rank among FORD models595th of 1,167(top 51%)

vs national average+5%(82% avg)

vs 2021 cars average-5%(92% avg)

vs FORD average+2%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

32,060

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 FORD S-MAX has 32,060 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2020 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 2006 model has the lowest at 69%. The 2021 sits between the two at 87%.

FORD S-MAX by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	87%	1,832	32,060 mi
2020	89%	2,711	36,267 mi
2019	85%	4,133	45,474 mi
2018	86%	3,879	53,815 mi
2017	86%	8,910	66,218 mi
2016	85%	11,499	72,403 mi
2015	81%	5,624	80,981 mi
2014	77%	11,793	93,914 mi
2013	75%	11,792	102,349 mi
2012	76%	13,192	110,834 mi
2011	76%	12,169	120,774 mi
2010	75%	16,703	125,655 mi
2009	71%	11,518	135,721 mi
2008	71%	9,323	143,734 mi
2007	70%	9,374	144,791 mi
2006	69%	3,115	142,042 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

FORD FOCUS

2019 · 1499cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

+2%

FORD KUGA

2019 · 1997cc Diesel

£1,482/year

91%

+4%

VOLKSWAGEN POLO

2019 · 1598cc Diesel

£1,500/year

89%

+2%

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM

2019 · 2000cc Diesel

£1,632/year

87%

same

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About the 2021 FORD S-MAX

The 2021 FORD S-MAX is a family car with a 1995cc diesel engine. 1,832 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It sits in the bottom 87% of 2021 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 32,060 miles at 5 years old, FORD S-MAX owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 FORD S-MAX Fuel Costs

The 1995cc diesel engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 48 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,037 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2021 FORD S-MAX?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,637 (£136/month), broken down as £1037 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 87% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD S-MAX Reliability Trend

Newer FORD S-MAXs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2021 FORD S-MAX

At 5 years old, the FORD S-MAX offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost. If you're flexible on year, the 2020 model has the highest pass rate at 89%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2021 FORD S-MAX's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Medium risk

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

AdBlue System

Medium risk

Post-2015 diesels use AdBlue for emissions. Sensor failures and tank heater issues are common. Budget £200-£500 for repairs.

EGR Valve

Low risk

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2021 FORD S-MAX stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD S-MAX(2021)	87%	£1037	£195	Grp 18-32	£1637
FORD FOCUS(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£137
FORD KUGA(2019)	91%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1482-£155
VOLKSWAGEN POLO(2019)	89%	£905	£190	Grp 12-25	£1500-£137
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM(2019)	87%	£1037	£190	Grp 18-32	£1632-£5

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.