2022 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · C5 JJV

The 2022 Ford S-MAX passed its most recent MOT on 30 December 2025 at 35,206 miles, yet the maintenance trend is not reassuring. Despite a clean pass, the tester flagged rear brake pads wearing thin and three tyres worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge. This pattern of recurring tyre wear and marginal brake condition suggests the vehicle has not been receiving proactive, preventative servicing. The trend appears stable rather than rapidly worsening, but the repeated nature of these advisories indicates a cycle of running components to the limit rather than replacing them in good time. The mileage progression is consistent with a typical annual use of roughly 8,800 miles. The vehicle covered approximately 8,240 miles between the December 2024 tests and the December 2025 test, which aligns with the average. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in accumulation that would suggest long periods of standing or recent high-intensity use. The record is clean in terms of mileage continuity, showing steady, predictable road use over the documented period. A buyer should pay close attention to the condition of the rear braking system. The advisory for rear brake pads wearing thin at the most recent test, combined with the lack of any record indicating a replacement, means the pads and discs are likely approaching or past service limits. The rear calipers should be checked for binding or sticking, a common issue that can accelerate pad wear and cause the uneven, edge-wearing tyre pattern noted repeatedly. Inspect the rear suspension bushes and shock absorbers for wear, as degraded components often contribute to uneven tyre scalloping and edge wear. The recurring tyre faults across multiple tests, particularly the worn-on-edge condition, point to potential alignment issues or neglected tyre rotation. A full four-wheel alignment check is essential before purchase. The nearside front tyre cut noted in the 2024 failure, which was severe enough to reach the ply or cords, raises a question about whether that tyre was correctly replaced and the underlying cause, such as a suspension defect or poor wheel balance, was addressed. Finally, the persistent note regarding a nearside rear child seat preventing full inspection of the adult seatbelt means the belt's full retraction, locking mechanism, and webbing condition behind the child seat remain unverified. This must be physically inspected to confirm the belt is not trapped, frayed, or compromised.