2014 Ford B-MAX 1.6L Petrol · DH10 ZOE

The most recent DVSA examination on 12 January 2026 resulted in a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, and the vehicle has successfully held a valid MOT through the 2024 and 2025 test cycles. The only failure in the recorded history occurred on 12 January 2024, when the offside rear stop lamp was found to be inoperative, but this was rectified the same day to enable the immediate pass. The advisory notes raised in January 2023 concerned perishing across all four tyres, and these have clearly been addressed, as no tyre-related advisories have been repeated in the three subsequent tests. Overall, the maintenance trajectory appears stable and well-managed, with no recurring or worsening mechanical concerns emerging from the official records. With 65,761 miles recorded over approximately twelve years, the vehicle averages around 5,480 miles per year, which is notably below the typical annual mileage for a car of this type. Such low usage suggests either consistent light running, possibly consisting of shorter urban journeys, or extended periods of standing between uses. While low mileage reduces wear on high-mileage consumables such as clutch, braking surfaces and internal drivetrain components, it concurrently accelerates calendar-based degradation of items like tyres, brake discs, brake fluid, coolant, and the 12V battery. Any prospective buyer should consider whether the vehicle has been used regularly enough to keep seals, hoses, and mechanical joints properly lubricated and free from corrosion-related seizure. Given the modest annual mileage and the twelve-year age of the vehicle, particular attention should be paid to age-related deterioration rather than wear from use. Tyre sidewalls should be carefully inspected for cracking, perishing, and any signs of bulges, as rubber compounds degrade over time regardless of tread depth; even tyres with ample tread may require replacement due to age-related brittleness. Brake discs should be examined for surface corrosion, especially given the likelihood of damp standing periods, and the caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanism should be checked for any binding or seizing that could cause uneven pad wear or pulling under braking. Listen on the test drive for any scraping, grinding, or pulsation through the brake pedal, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline without needing excessive travel. The 12V battery is another item of concern on a low-mileage vehicle of this age, as prolonged standing and short journeys prevent full charging cycles; load testing or at minimum a voltage check is advisable, and any dashboard warning lights relating to the charging system should be investigated. All fluid services should be confirmed against calendar intervals rather than purely mileage, particularly brake fluid, which is hygroscopic and typically requires renewal every two years regardless of use, along with coolant, engine oil, and any automatic transmission fluid if applicable. The service book should be examined for consistent stamping, and it is worth verifying the timing belt or chain replacement interval, as the 1.0 EcoBoost and 1.4 or 1.6 petrol variants fitted to the B-MAX have specific age-based recommendations for these components. A thorough road test should include checks for suspension clonks over uneven surfaces, smooth clutch operation, steady idle, and absence of any warning lights, given that MOT records alone cannot reveal driving quality or intermittent faults.