Is the Ford S-Max ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 78,219 MOT tests, around 30% of Ford S-Maxes still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 58% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 12%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 91% diesel, 9% petrol. Diesel S-Maxes are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Every petrol S-Max in the data (2006 onwards) is likely to be compliant.
- Likely compliant
- 30%
- Likely charged
- 58%
- Depends on the car
- 12%
- MOT tests analysed
- 78,219
Check a specific S-Max
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
S-Max ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many S-Maxes of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant81 tested | – |
| 2020 | Likely compliant1,192 tested | Likely compliant5 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant1,820 tested | Likely compliant513 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant2,121 tested | Likely compliant308 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant4,862 tested | Likely compliant456 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant6,172 tested | Likely compliant703 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car3,057 tested | Likely compliant235 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car6,453 tested | Likely compliant244 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged6,208 tested | Likely compliant179 tested |
| 2012 | Likely charged6,744 tested | Likely compliant511 tested |
| 2011 | Likely charged5,809 tested | Likely compliant961 tested |
| 2010 | Likely charged8,430 tested | Likely compliant1,070 tested |
| 2009 | Likely charged6,375 tested | Likely compliant320 tested |
| 2008 | Likely charged5,010 tested | Likely compliant441 tested |
| 2007 | Likely charged5,110 tested | Likely compliant771 tested |
| 2006 | Likely charged1,688 tested | Likely compliant364 tested |
How ULEZ rules apply to the S-Max
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (91% of S-Maxes tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (9% of S-Maxes tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
S-Maxes from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (12% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Ford can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how S-Maxes fare at the MOT too: see the Ford S-Max MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Ford S-Max for London: what the MOT data shows
The Ford S-Maxes in this data were first registered between 2006 and 2021. 2010 was the most common year, with 9,500 tests (12% of the total), and half were registered in 2012 or later.
S-Maxes from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 76% of the time, at an average of 66,863 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 59% of the time with 118,697 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel S-Maxes likely to comply are from 2016. 6,172 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 80% of the time and averaged 63,050 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the S-Max's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (6.9% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (4.1%); brakes: "less than 1.5 mm thick" (3.8%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 25.1% of tests.
Overall, 65% of S-Maxes passed first time, noticeably below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 98,442 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Ford models
About this data
Based on 78,219 first MOT tests of the Ford S-Max carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 78,219 MOT tests say about the Ford S-Max and London's ULEZ.
Is the Ford S-Max ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 30% of S-Maxes on the road are likely compliant and 58% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol S-Max years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol S-Maxes first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel S-Max ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel S-Maxes from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific S-Max is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 6 min readHow to check if a car has been clocked using MOT mileage historyWinding back an odometer takes minutes with a laptop, but every MOT logs the reading publicly. A step-by-step method, with worked examples, for spotting the gaps.Read the guide
Is your S-Max ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.