2006 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · AF56 RXT

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 25 October 2022, although the result was accompanied by several advisories regarding the braking system and suspension. Evaluating the broader history, the maintenance trend appears inconsistent. While the 2021 test was clean, the 2020 failure was severe, involving dangerous brake pad and disc wear alongside a major exhaust leak, which suggests periods of deferred maintenance. The return of steering and suspension advisories in the most recent test indicates that the vehicle is now entering a phase of significant age-related component fatigue. With a recorded mileage of 215,815 miles over approximately twenty years, the vehicle has averaged around 10,791 miles per year. This is a typical usage profile for a family vehicle of this era, suggesting it has been used regularly rather than standing for long periods. However, such high cumulative mileage places significant stress on the drivetrain, engine internals, and all rubber-mounted components. A buyer should expect a higher rate of wear on consumables and a greater likelihood of fatigue in the structural chassis and suspension mounting points. Prospective buyers must pay close attention to the chassis and braking system. The history of dangerous brake wear, combined with a marginal parking brake efficiency advisory, suggests a need for a thorough inspection of the calipers and hydraulic lines to ensure there is no binding or leakage. During a test drive, listen for clunks or knocks over uneven surfaces, which would indicate the progression of the worn suspension arm bushes and track rod ends noted in the records. Any vagueness in the steering or a pull to one side may confirm that the play in the ball joints has worsened since the last inspection. Given the previous major exhaust leak and the deterioration of the anti-roll bar dust cover, a full underbody inspection is essential to check for corrosion and further leaks. The buyer should verify the service history to ensure that timing belts and water pumps have been replaced at the correct intervals, as these are critical failure points for high-mileage engines of this type. Additionally, check for uneven tyre wear across both axles, as the recurring track rod and suspension advisories often lead to wheel misalignment, which accelerates tyre degradation and impacts overall road stability.