2010 Ford C-MAX 1.8L Diesel · MK60 ACU

The 2010 Ford C-Max presents a concerning maintenance history, with the most recent MOT in October 2024—over 10 months ago—ending in a failure despite no recorded defects. This is unusual, as the vehicle passed its previous test in September 2023, only to fail again immediately afterward, a pattern that suggests either a clerical error or a deliberate attempt to bypass testing. The absence of any advisories or defects across five consecutive MOTs (2021–2024) implies either exceptional luck or a deliberate suppression of issues, though the October 2024 failure raises immediate red flags. Without documented faults, it’s impossible to verify whether critical components—such as suspension bushes, brake binding, or exhaust emissions—were overlooked or deliberately omitted from the record. The mileage accumulation of roughly 6,500 miles per year aligns with typical usage for a 16-year-old vehicle, though the lack of intermediate MOTs between September 2023 and October 2024 is striking. Over 15 months, the car covered just 5,757 miles (103,793 – 98,036), suggesting either prolonged periods of disuse or a deliberate avoidance of testing. The rapid mileage gain between 2021 (89,775) and 2022 (92,862) indicates sporadic but consistent use, but the stagnation afterward contradicts that trend. Buyers should treat this as a warning sign—either the vehicle has been neglected, or its history has been deliberately sanitised. Given the clean but suspicious MOT record, a prospective buyer must conduct a thorough pre-purchase inspection, focusing on structural integrity, suspension wear, and brake condition . Pay particular attention to corrosion in wheel arches, sills, and subframe , as well as suspension components —specifically coil springs, anti-roll bars, and bushings—which are prone to fatigue on a 16-year-old vehicle. The brakes should be checked for binding calipers, uneven disc wear, or fluid leaks , as the absence of advisories does not guarantee their reliability. Finally, verify the exhaust system for leaks or rust , and inspect the steering rack and driveshaft mounts for excessive play or corrosion, as these are common failure points in vehicles of this age. The October 2024 failure without defects is not reassuring; treat this as a high-risk purchase unless a full mechanical service report confirms otherwise.