2009 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · AV09 EUL

The current vehicle is roadworthy, but the MOT history indicates a clear trend of worsening maintenance rather than stability or improvement. The most recent test on 2026-02-23 was passed at 83,445 miles with only minor corrosion issues, whereas the 2025-03-03 test on 79,905 miles revealed significant wear on nearside and offside rear suspension arms and brakes, with the front sub-frame showing no serious structural weakness. This progression suggests that the owner has been neglecting routine servicing and is now experiencing accelerated degradation of critical components. The mileage accumulation is not uniform; the vehicle has maintained a low average of roughly 4,909 miles per year, which is low for its age but indicates that wear on consumables and suspension bushings may be occurring at a rate that exceeds normal usage. A notable gap exists between the 2022-02-25 test (66,956 miles) and the 2023-03-10 test (71,814 miles), where the front sub-frame was corroded but the rear sub-frame remained clean, suggesting a potential shift in maintenance habits or a lack of consistent periodic inspection. A buyer should inspect the car for binding rear brakes, worn nearside/offside suspension bushes, and structural rust in the central and rear sub-frames. These components are critical for roadworthiness; any signs of excessive wear or corrosion in these areas could indicate that the vehicle is approaching the point where it is no longer safe to drive, even if the MOT score has improved slightly in the most recent test.