2018 Ford Grand C-MAX 1.0L Petrol · CF18 BCO

A clear pattern of front-end wear and tear defines the roadworthiness history of this 2018 Ford Grand C-Max, with brake and suspension components appearing at nearly every test. The most recent assessment on 3 December 2025 was a pass, but only two days earlier the vehicle failed on dangerously worn front brake pads measuring less than 1.5 mm thick alongside non-functioning rear stop lamps, with the front pads issue being classified as dangerous rather than merely major. Across the recorded tests there are two failures (both brake and lamp related) and a consistent run of advisories covering front and rear brake discs that are pitted or scored, nearside front suspension arm ball joint play, offside front coil spring corrosion, and nearside front track rod end play. The windscreen has also carried a minor damage advisory at three consecutive tests. Taken together, these records indicate a vehicle whose front braking and suspension hardware is showing progressive wear consistent with the mileage, rather than a vehicle with a stable or improving mechanical trend. The recorded mileage of 51,975 miles over an eight-year age equates to roughly 6,500 miles per year, which sits close to the average for a family vehicle of this age and type. Annual test entries are present from 2021 through 2025, indicating the car has remained in regular use without any long periods off the road. The relatively steady year-on-year testing cadence suggests consistent operation rather than extended lay-up, so components such as brake discs, brake pads, coil springs and suspension linkages have been subjected to normal accumulation of wear from active service. The brake and suspension items now being flagged therefore align with what would be expected from a Grand C-Max of this age and mileage band rather than indicating abnormal use. For a prospective buyer, the brake system should be the immediate priority for scrutiny. With brake discs on both axles already recorded as pitted or scored and front pads having just been at a dangerous level, a thorough inspection of remaining pad material, disc thickness, and any signs of uneven wear or caliper binding is essential. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding noise from the front wheels under light braking, feel for vibration or pedal pulsation indicative of disc run-out, and check for the vehicle pulling to one side under heavier stops which could suggest a seized caliper slider. Verify that both rear stop lamps illuminate on first press of the brake pedal, as this defect has caused two separate failures, and confirm the offside front fog lamp now operates. The suspension and steering items warrant equally close attention given their recurrence across multiple tests. The persistent nearside front suspension arm ball joint play, the offside front coil spring corrosion, and the nearside front track rod end play all point to front suspension components approaching the point of requiring replacement. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps, catseye strips, and uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or slackness in the steering response, particularly around the straight-ahead position. Visually inspect the offside front coil spring for surface rust and pitting, check the nearside front lower arm and ball joint for perished or cracked rubber boots and any grease leakage, and confirm the track rod end gaiters are intact. Also examine the offside front inner tyre shoulder for uneven wear, as edge wear has been flagged and can be symptomatic of the suspension play noted in the records.