Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TDCi, 140 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €540 | €2,700 | 155 | Diesel | UFWA | Manual (6) | 2006–2010 |
| 2.0, 145 PS, 5-speed manual Research | €551 | €3,490 | 61 | Bioethanol (E85) / Petrol | TBWB | Manual (5) | 2006–2010 |
At a glance
- Seven-seat MPV built 2006 to 2015, front-wheel drive only. Petrol engines from 2.0 to 2.5 turbo and EcoBoost, diesels from 1.6 to 2.2 TDCi.
- The main risks are the Powershift automatic, the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and the clutch. Worn suspension parts and oil loss are common too.
- Reliability: 2/5, because the Powershift gearbox, the DPF and the clutch repairs are costly.
- DIY: 2/5, because gearbox, clutch and turbo work needs a garage. Most buyer checks need only a look and a test drive.
- Prefer: a naturally aspirated petrol such as the 2.0 Duratec. For a diesel, ask for DPF work and a clean service history.
- Avoid: a Powershift car without a gearbox service record, a diesel with no DPF history, and a car that loses oil.
Engines and gearboxes
- 2.0 Duratec petrol 145 PS (TBWB, also flexi-fuel): oil loss applies (see Oil loss).
- 2.3 Duratec petrol automatic 160 PS (SEWA, to 2010): oil loss applies (see Oil loss).
- 2.5 five-cylinder turbo petrol 220 PS (HUWA, to 2010): oil loss applies (see Oil loss).
- 1.6 EcoBoost petrol 160 PS (JTWB, facelift): a clutch recall covers manual cars (see Recalls).
- 2.0 EcoBoost petrol 203/240 PS (TNWA, TPWA, facelift): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.8 TDCi diesel 116 PS (TYWA, to 2010): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 1.6 TDCi diesel 115 PS (T1WB, facelift): turbocharger faults are reported (see Turbocharger).
- 2.0 TDCi diesel 130/140 PS (AZWA, UFWA): DPF faults are reported (see DPF).
- 2.0 TDCi diesel 163 PS (TXWA, facelift): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 2.2 TDCi diesel 175 PS and 200 PS (Q4WA, KNWA): a fuel-line seal recall covers these engines (see Recalls).
- 5-speed manual (IB5, on the 2.0 petrol): clutch and flywheel wear apply (see Clutch).
- 6-speed manual (MMT6, M66): clutch and flywheel wear apply (see Clutch).
- 6-speed automatic (Aisin AWF21, Durashift): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch (MPS6, 2010 on): judder, oil leaks and clutch wear, see Powershift gearbox.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powershift gearbox | Powershift, 2010 on | About 70,000-120,000 km (AKPPHELP garage on drive2) | GBP 3,500 (owner on PistonHeads, 2022) |
| Diesel particulate filter (DPF) | All diesels | Not stated | EUR 1,000 or more (owner estimate on carwiki.de, year not stated) |
| Clutch and dual-mass flywheel | Manual gearboxes | About 120,000-150,000 km | EUR 1,010-1,370 with labour (ADAC, Germany, year not stated) |
| Suspension and steering joints | All | About 60,000-80,000 km in city use | No confirmed price |
| Oil loss | All engines | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Turbocharger | Diesels, 1.6 TDCi named most | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Exhaust system | All | Not stated | EUR 750 with labour, after the catalytic converter (ADAC, Germany, year not stated) |
Before you buy
- Ask for the gearbox service record, with oil changes on time. Drive from cold and pull away gently. Jerks, a warning light or limp mode are bad signs. A scanner reads the gearbox fault codes.
- Ask for DPF cleaning or regeneration records. A DPF warning light, or a regeneration fault that a scanner reads, means the filter is clogged. A scanner is needed for the fault codes.
- Drive from rest and up a hill. Judder, slip or grinding means the clutch or flywheel may need replacing. Ask for the invoice.
- Start the car cold and listen for exhaust leaks. Check the pipes and the silencer for holes and rust.
- On a diesel, check for lost power or a warning light. Ask whether the turbo or its hoses were fixed. A limp mode points to a boost fault, and a scanner reads the boost codes.
- Turn the steering from lock to lock and push each wheel up and down. Knocks from the steering or the suspension mean worn bushes, joints or tie-rod ends.
- Check the oil level on the dipstick, and look under the engine for oil. A car that loses oil needs a leak check before purchase.
- Check the rear wheel arches, the rear sill, the bottom of the doors and the boot floor for bubbles, holes or lifting paint. Look under the wheel arch liners.
- Check every campaign in the Recalls table by VIN. Ask the seller for proof that the work was done.
Running costs
| Operational | €227 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €181 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €156 |
| Total per month | €564 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €62 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 409
- 25th percentile
- €2,100
- Median price
- €3,000
- 75th percentile
- €4,000
- Median mileage
- 240,889 km
- Median first registration
- 2008
- Dealer share
- 43.8%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €5,212
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Powershift gearbox
Symptoms: judder and vibration when pulling away, jerky shifts, and limp mode. Oil leaks from the gearbox, and the leak sits between engine and gearbox. Cause: worn clutch plates and broken plastic spacers in the clutch basket. Its teardown found metal debris on the magnets, a clogged filter, broken retainers and worn damper springs. Overheating can crumble the plastic parts. Fix: a new clutch and filters, a new seal cover, then adaptation. Cost: GBP 3,500 for a proper repair with a 12-month guarantee, from an owner post (PistonHeads, 2022). The AKPPHELP garage on drive2 reports failures at 70,000-120,000 km. Auto Express says the automatic must be kept up with the correct oil.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max problems, kolesa.ru: used S-Max, automatic and dual-clutch, drive2: DCT450 repair, S-Max and C-Max, PistonHeads: Powershift failure and repair costs
Diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Symptoms: a DPF warning light, and a filter that clogs with soot. Carwiki.de describes a 2006 2.0 diesel whose DPF sensor failed. The workshop ran a manual regeneration every one to two years and avoided a repair. ADAC breakdown counts name the particulate filter for 2006 to 2008 and 2010. Cause: soot build-up. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de says the filter reaches its limit quickly. Fix: carwiki.de says a software update helped on some 2006 and 2007 cars. Cost: EUR 1,000 or more, an owner's estimate for the repair avoided (carwiki.de, year not stated).
Sources: carwiki: Ford S-Max problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max problems, ADAC: used S-MAX diesel report
Clutch and dual-mass flywheel
Symptoms: a knock when pulling away, and a clutch that wears out early. Kolesa.ru says the two-mass flywheel knocks by 120,000-150,000 km, and diesels fail earlier. RAC notes that clutches take a beating in lower-powered versions, and more so with a tow bar fitted. Cause: wear in the clutch and the flywheel damper. Fix: a new clutch, and a flywheel when it is worn. Cost: ADAC gives EUR 1,010 (1.6 TDCi), EUR 1,250 to 1,370 (2.0 TDCi) and EUR 1,210 (2.2 TDCi), with labour (Germany, year not stated). RAC gives a clutch assembly at about GBP 140 as a part price (UK, 2015). On the Mondeo Mk4 with the same 2.2 TDCi, repareo quotes EUR 2,030 for clutch and flywheel together (Germany, year not stated).
Sources: RAC Drive: used S-MAX 2010-2015, kolesa.ru: used S-Max, body and handbrake, ADAC: used S-MAX diesel report, repareo: clutch replacement, Ford Mondeo IV (Mondeo cross-check)
Suspension and steering joints
Symptoms: knocks from the steering, and worn axle and steering parts that inspectors flag. Cause: worn rear trailing-arm bushes, tie-rod ends, ball joints and stabiliser links. Kolesa.ru says the rear trailing-arm bush and its mounting are at risk after 60,000-80,000 km of city driving. The rear trailing arm can corrode and sometimes needs a whole new arm. Steering rack knocks come from moisture under the boots and a weak plastic plug. TÜV defects for the first generation name axle suspension, steering and tie-rod ends, and the springs weaken by the fourth inspection (as reported by volksstimme.de). Fix: replace the worn parts. No confirmed price.
Sources: carwiki: Ford S-Max problems, volksstimme: Ford S-Max used-car check, ADAC: used S-MAX diesel report, kolesa.ru: used S-Max, body and handbrake
Oil loss
Symptoms: the engine loses oil, and the level drops between services. Carwiki.de says oil loss is above average for the S-Max. The ADAC diesel report says the defect rate is above average in every year, and names oil loss among the causes. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de gives oil loss in all years. Cause and fix are not stated. Check the level and look for leaks at each service. No confirmed price.
Sources: carwiki: Ford S-Max problems, ADAC: used S-MAX diesel report, gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max problems
Turbocharger
Symptoms: the sources give no symptoms for turbo failure, only failure counts and hose faults. Cause: turbo damage, and charge-pipe hoses that slip off. Carwiki.de says turbo damage on cars built up to 2009 is much dearer than a hose repair. Gebrauchtwagenberater.de says the charge-pipe hoses can slip off. ADAC counts turbo breakdowns in 2008, peaking in 2009, and names the 1.6 TDCi as prone to turbo damage. Fix: reseat or replace the hose, which is cheap; a new turbo costs much more. No confirmed price.
Sources: carwiki: Ford S-Max problems, gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max problems, ADAC: used S-MAX diesel report
Exhaust system
Symptoms: the sources give none in detail. The exhaust is named as a weak point, and carwiki.de says the MOT (AU) fails mostly on the oldest cars. Cause: rusting exhaust systems, which ADAC names. Fix: replace the exhaust section. Cost: EUR 750 with labour, after the catalytic converter, for a 2.0 TDCi (ADAC, Germany, year not stated). RAC gives about GBP 800 for an exhaust with the catalytic converter (UK, 2015).
Sources: ADAC: used S-MAX diesel report, carwiki: Ford S-Max problems, RAC Drive: used S-MAX 2010-2015
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | not given | Built Nov 2008 to Mar 2009 (gebrauchtwagenberater.de) | Brake booster vacuum pump check valve can stick when cold, so the brake power assist drops. The valve is replaced (ADAC, campaign 6/2009). |
| Germany | not given | Built 12 Jan 2012 to 11 Feb 2013 (gebrauchtwagenberater.de) | 2.2 TDCi: damaged seal rings in the fuel system can let fuel leak, a fire risk. The fuel return line and O-rings are replaced (ADAC, campaign 10/2013). |
| Germany | not given | From model year 2009 (gebrauchtwagenberater.de) | 2.0 TDCi: software fault in the body and drivetrain control units. Lights and warning lamps can fail, or switch on by themselves. Free software update (ADAC, campaign 5/2011). |
| Germany | not given | Model years 2014 to 2015 (car-recalls.eu) | 2.0 TDCi (Duratorq): the engine control unit can miss overheating, so engine oil can leak from the sump. Revised calibration and warning lamp (ADAC, campaign 3/2018). |
| UK and Germany | not given | Built 1 Aug 2009 to 31 Dec 2014 (gebrauchtwagenberater.de) | EcoBoost petrol with manual gearbox: the clutch pressure plate can break, a fire risk. Software update or new clutch (ADAC, campaign 7/2018). ADAC also lists campaign 5/2019 for the same part. |
| UK and Germany | not given | Built 1 Dec 2005 to 28 Jun 2006 (gebrauchtwagenberater.de) | Heated windscreen: a loose ground screw can spark and scorch the glass. The remedy is not given in the sources read. |
No KBA reference numbers appear in the sources, so codes are not given. Check every campaign by VIN.
Maintenance
- Powershift: use the correct gearbox oil and change it on schedule. Auto Express says it must be kept up, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de advises a flush every 60,000 km.
- Check the engine oil level at every service, and look for leaks under the engine and gearbox. Oil loss is reported in all years.
- Check the exhaust at every MOT. The AU (MOT) fails most on the oldest cars.
Sources
English
- Auto Express: Used Ford S-MAX review (2020)
- Auto Express: Ford S-MAX review (2006-2015), Driver Power 2014
- RAC Drive: Used S-MAX (2010-2015)
- PistonHeads: Powershift failure and repair costs
German
- carwiki: Ford S-Max problems
- gebrauchtwagenberater: Ford S-Max problems
- volksstimme: Ford S-Max used-car check
- ADAC: used S-MAX diesel report
- car-recalls.eu: S-Max recall entry
- repareo: clutch replacement, Ford Mondeo IV