2012 Ford Grand C-MAX 1.6L Diesel · AX12 AXU

The most recent DVSA test on 8 December 2025 resulted in a pass, but it was accompanied by a cluster of advisories spanning the suspension, tyres and a noted edge-wear pattern on the front tyres. Reviewing the sequence of tests back to 2018, the advisory count has been gradually rising, from a clean pass in 2018, to one or two notes in 2019 and 2020, before settling into a consistent pattern of three to five advisories per test from 2021 onwards. The themes have also become more focused: suspension bushes were first flagged in 2021, have recurred at almost every subsequent test, and were joined by corroded rear coil springs in 2024, while brake-related advisories for pads and discs have appeared intermittently. Overall the maintenance trend is best described as stable but on a slow downward trajectory, with no outright failures recorded but a widening list of wear items that a buyer should expect to address in the near term. At 93,592 miles over approximately fourteen years, this Grand C-Max has covered an average of around 6,700 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a family multi-purpose vehicle of this era and suggests consistent rather than abusive use. There are no obvious long gaps in MOT records, with annual tests broadly maintained, although the spacing between 2019 and 2020 and again between 2024 and 2025 indicates the car has remained in regular service. The mileage band is high enough that age-related consumables such as suspension bushes, springs, brake discs and tyres will have been worked hard, but not so excessive that one would expect major drivetrain components such as the clutch or timing chain to be at immediate risk, provided the diesel or petrol service schedule has been followed correctly. The recurring suspension bush advisories on both front upper arms and the nearside rear trailing arm are the single most consistent theme across the MOT record. Bushes of this type progressively deteriorate with age and mileage, leading to looseness in the suspension geometry that typically manifests as clonking or knocking over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, vague or wandering steering, and uneven tyre wear particularly on the inner or outer edges. The advisories state the movement is not yet excessive, but with several years of recurrence, a buyer should expect these to be approaching the point of failure. On a test drive, listen carefully for knocks from the front and rear suspension, and inspect the inner and outer edges of all four tyres for uneven wear patterns that would confirm worn geometry. The corroded rear coil springs noted in 2024 are also worth visual inspection, as corroded springs can snap and cause a sudden loss of vehicle height on one corner. The front tyres were flagged in both 2022 and 2025 for sidewall cracking and perishing, with the latest test also noting edge wear. Tyres of this age, regardless of tread depth, become prone to sidewall degradation from UV exposure and ozone, and Ford specifies particular age-related replacement intervals. On inspection, check the DOT date code on the sidewall and examine the sidewalls closely for visible cracks, especially in the flex zone between the tread and the rim. The rear brake pads have been flagged as wearing thin in three consecutive tests, suggesting the rear calipers or handbrake mechanism may not be retracting fully, leading to uneven pad wear, so a buyer should test the car from cold for any rear brake drag or pulling. Brake disc pitting on the front inner faces was noted in 2022, and combined with the edge-wear tyre observation, points to potential binding calipers or warped discs which would produce brake shudder under heavy application. Finally, given the vehicle's age, it is prudent to verify the timing belt or chain service interval according to Ford's schedule, check the 12V battery for holding charge, and confirm that brake fluid, coolant and automatic transmission fluid if applicable have been changed on a calendar basis, as age-related fluid degradation is a common cause of corrosion in the braking and cooling systems of vehicles that have covered moderate annual mileages over a long period.