2013 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · AY13 XAF

The vehicle's MOT history shows an inconsistent maintenance trend with a recent transition from a significant failure in early 2025 to a pass in March 2026. While the March 2026 test at 89,380 miles resulted in a pass, the tester flagged a defective rear exhaust mounting and noted that a rear child seat obstructed the inspection of an adult belt. This follows a failed test on 12 March 2025, which included a dangerous defect regarding a nearside front tyre with exposed cords and a major defect concerning a split nearside front outer drive shaft CV boot. The recorded mileage of 89,380 miles over 13 years averages approximately 6,875 miles per year. This represents relatively low annual usage for a vehicle of this age. The MOT records show consistent annual testing, with the most recent test occurring five months ago in March 2026. There are no significant gaps in the testing timeline between February 2023 and March 2026, suggesting the vehicle has been subject to regular annual inspections. A prospective buyer should prioritise a physical inspection of the drivetrain and exhaust system. The March 2026 advisory regarding the rear exhaust mounting suggests the mounting hardware or rubber hangers may soon require replacement to prevent excessive vibration or exhaust movement. Given the major failure in March 2025 for a split nearside front outer drive shaft CV boot, it is necessary to verify that the replacement part was fitted correctly and that the joint is currently free from grease leakage or excessive play. The braking system also warrants scrutiny. In February 2023, the record noted advisories for worn, pitted, or scored rear brake discs and pads wearing thin. Although the March 2025 test passed without brake-related defects, the previous wear patterns suggest the rear braking components have a history of reaching their service limits. A physical check of the remaining pad thickness and disc surface condition is advised to determine the current state of the rear braking assembly.