Used Ford S-Max Transfer Box

Only certain S-Max variants were fitted with a transfer box — specifically those with four-wheel drive, which Ford offered on some diesel engine variants of the S-Max. The majority of S-Max models sold in the UK were front-wheel drive and never had a transfer box fitted at all. If you're unsure whether your vehicle is four-wheel drive, check your V5 or run a VIN check before searching for this part.

Four-wheel drive was available on the S-Max primarily with certain 2.0 TDCi diesel variants across both the first generation (2006–2015) and second generation (2015 onwards), though not every 2.0 TDCi model was offered with 4WD — it depended on trim and market. Your engine code, found on your V5 or via a VIN check, is the most reliable way to confirm your exact drivetrain configuration. A breaker can then cross-reference your registration against the part they have to confirm compatibility.

These two vehicles fall across a generation boundary — the first-generation S-Max ran from 2006 to 2015, and the second generation began in 2015, bringing a substantially different platform and drivetrain architecture. A transfer box from a 2013 (Mk1) S-Max is very unlikely to be compatible with a 2016 (Mk2) S-Max, but you should confirm this with the breaker against your registration and engine code rather than assume either way.

Trim level does not determine which transfer box was fitted; what matters is whether your specific vehicle has four-wheel drive, and if so, your engine code and gearbox type. A Titanium and a Titanium Sport with identical drivetrains would use the same transfer box, while a front-wheel-drive Zetec would have no transfer box at all regardless of trim. Confirm your drivetrain layout and engine code with your V5 before approaching a breaker.

The first-generation S-Max received a facelift in 2010, and while the core platform remained the same, there can be ancillary and mounting differences introduced during mid-production updates that affect whether parts interchange directly. Because of this, you should confirm with the breaker whether the part from a pre-2010 vehicle matches your post-2010 registration, rather than assuming it will fit based on generation alone. Supplying your engine code alongside your registration gives the breaker the best chance of finding you the right unit.

If your S-Max is front-wheel drive, it will not have a transfer box fitted, so a transfer box quote would not be correct for your vehicle. It's possible there has been a misidentification, and the fault may actually lie with a different drivetrain component such as a differential, driveshaft, or gearbox-related part. It's worth going back to whoever diagnosed the fault and confirming the exact component needed before searching for parts.