2013 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · RJ13 AAY

This 2013 Ford S-Max presents an unusually clean MOT record, with five consecutive passes between November 2021 and December 2025 and absolutely no advisories, failures, or defects recorded at any point. The most recent test on 11 December 2025 was a clean pass with no defects, and the four prior tests since 2021 follow the same pattern. For a thirteen-year-old MPV of this type, a fully clean sheet is notable; S-Maxes are frequently flagged for rear brake issues, front suspension arm wear, and corrosion around the subframe and wheel arches, so the absence of any recorded advisories suggests that the previous tester found nothing of concern at the time of each examination. The overall trend is one of consistent, stable roadworthiness with no worsening signals visible in the official record. Recorded mileage stands at 134,424 miles against a thirteen-year age, equating to roughly 10,340 miles per year on average, which is broadly typical for a family-sized MPV that has seen active service rather than being left idle or used only for short hops. The MOT history shows tests spaced at approximately twelve-month intervals with no obvious gaps, implying the vehicle has remained in continuous use and on the road throughout this period. There are no signs of rapid mileage accumulation between tests that would suggest a high-intensity usage phase, nor any unusual drops that might indicate a dormant period followed by re-commissioning. Mechanically, this kind of steady, moderate annual mileage tends to be kinder to suspension components and drivetrain than stop-start urban abuse, but consumables such as brakes, tyres, and bushes will still have experienced substantial wear over 134,000 miles. Given the clean MOT history, there is no specific component history to chase down, but the mileage alone places this vehicle in a bracket where proactive inspection of common S-Max wear items is essential. On a test drive, pay close attention to the front suspension by listening for clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, particularly from the lower control arm rear bushes and front anti-roll bar drop links, which are known to deteriorate on this platform. Feel for vagueness or looseness in the steering, and check for any pulling to one side under braking, which could indicate worn front discs or a binding caliper. At the rear, listen for any rubbing or scraping from the brake calipers, as the S-Max electronic handbrake mechanism and rear caliper sliders are frequent sources of advisory-level issues that may not yet have been flagged. Beyond the suspension and brakes, a walkaround inspection should focus on the areas most commonly affected by corrosion on this generation of S-Max, including the wheel arches, sills, the area around the rear suspension mounting points, and the underbody structure. Check for any signs of oil misting or seepage from the engine and gearbox, and inspect the condition of the coolant and power steering hoses, which harden with age. Inside the cabin, verify the operation of both rear sliding doors if fitted, the tailgate struts, and the dual-zone climate control, as these are well-documented weak points. Finally, a thorough underbody inspection on a ramp is strongly recommended; even with a clean MOT record, 134,000 miles of road use will have taken their toll on undertrays, exhaust hangers, and rubber boots, and only a physical check can confirm the true condition beneath the surface.