Explore common problems, estimated repair costs and practical checks for the 2015–2018 Ford S-MAX 2.0 Diesel Automatic. Use this guide to help assess a used car, then unlock a personalised report for the exact vehicle you're considering.
Jerky pull-away, delayed engagement, thumps on shifts, or a transmission warning on the dash.
Pull away gently several times from a stop, then creep in slow traffic and repeat once the car is warm.
£3,000
Sluggish acceleration, uneven running, extra smoke, warning light or repeated fault returns after short-trip use.
Accelerate gently and then more firmly from low revs once the engine is warm.
£450
Low-battery messages, stop-start unavailable, slow cranking, or the car going flat after a few days parked.
Start the car from cold, use normal electrical items during the drive, then switch off and restart after a short pause.
£500
It can be, but only if the individual car backs it up. For the 2015–2018 Ford S-MAX 2.0 Diesel Automatic, treat model-level patterns as viewing priorities and let condition, history and inspection evidence decide.
The problem cards above list the model-level checks for this guide. Read them as priorities for inspection and paperwork review, not proof that every example will have those faults.
Look for evidence, not just assurances: MOT advisories, service history, repair invoices, warning lights, fluid leaks, tyre and brake condition, and how the car behaves on a proper test drive. And of course, look at your personalised Should I Buy This Car? report, outlining a full list of common issues in detail, a personalised road test, a plain-English explanation and a MotorIQ score.
The guide above gives you the model-level pattern. A personalised MotorIQ report checks the registration-specific record and turns it into an ownership view before you commit.
Or enter the vehicle manually