Ford S-Max Drive Shaft Replacement Parts

The S-Max first generation ran from 2006 to 2015, with a facelift in 2010, so both years sit within the same overall generation but either side of that facelift boundary. Engine code is the most reliable guide here — if both cars share the same engine code, there is a reasonable chance the shaft will interchange, but whether any mounting or length changes were introduced at the 2010 facelift is something you should confirm with the breaker against both registrations before buying.

These belong to different generations — the first-generation S-Max ran from 2006 to 2015, and the second generation launched in 2015, so a 2013 and a 2016 car are not the same platform at all. Drive shafts are unlikely to be interchangeable across this generational boundary, and you should treat them as different vehicles entirely when sourcing parts. Always quote your engine code and registration to the breaker so they can confirm compatibility.

Trim level does not affect drive shaft fitment — what matters is your engine code, fuel type, gearbox type, and whether your car is front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A Zetec and a Titanium on the same engine and gearbox combination will take the same shaft. Bear in mind that a Titanium sourced from a breaker may carry different ancillary bracketry or cosmetic finishes, but the shaft itself is determined by the mechanical specification, not the badge.

Nearside (NS) is the passenger side and offside (OS) is the driver side on a UK right-hand-drive car, and the two shafts are different lengths so they are not interchangeable. Check which side is worn or damaged before contacting a breaker, as quoting the wrong side will get you the wrong part. Providing your engine code alongside NS or OS will help the breaker pull the correct unit quickly.

Engine code matters above everything else for drive shaft fitment because shaft length, flange size, and spline count follow the engine and gearbox combination rather than the model year or body. Two S-Max cars from the same year can have different engine codes and require different shafts, while two cars a few years apart on the same engine code are far more likely to be compatible. Your engine code is printed on your V5 logbook or can be found via a VIN check, and giving it to the breaker is the single most useful thing you can do.

Fuel type affects the engine and often the gearbox fitted to the car, which in turn affects the drive shaft specification, so a diesel shaft and a petrol shaft from the same model year are not reliably interchangeable. Always match on engine code rather than assuming fuel type alone is enough of a guide. Confirm the full specification — engine code, gearbox type, and drivetrain — with the breaker against your registration before purchasing.