2012 Ford C-MAX 2.0L Diesel · DA07 DJA

A fractured offside front coil spring on two separate visits in 2022 is the defining mechanical event in this C-MAX's test record, and while both subsequent tests have passed, the surrounding pattern of advisories indicates a vehicle with ongoing wear to its braking and suspension components. The most recent examination on 27 August 2026 recorded no defects at all, marking a clean return to form after the 2024 test had flagged pitted front and rear brake discs alongside a minor exhaust gas leak. Prior to that, the August 2025 pass carried advisories for a binding offside rear service brake, thinning offside rear brake pads, a deteriorated central rear registration plate, and a loose or insecure central rear heat shield. Taken together, the record shows a car that has cleared its tests but consistently presents advisories centred on the brake system, suspension linkages, and underbody ancillaries rather than one that has been entirely trouble-free. Annual mileage accumulation for this fourteen-year-old vehicle averages around 6,840 miles based on the 95,758 miles recorded, which is broadly in line with typical usage for a car of its age. Testing has occurred annually without any significant gaps, with entries for every year from 2021 through 2026, indicating the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods. The mileage progression between tests is steady rather than erratic, which on a vehicle of this age means normal consumption of brake, tyre, and suspension components rather than the accelerated wear that high-mileage use would bring. Importantly, the record contains no extended absence from testing that might raise concerns about undisclosed corrosion, seized components, or stale fuel issues. For a prospective buyer, the offside front coil spring failure in 2022 warrants direct physical inspection, as a replacement spring on one side can place additional load on the opposite unit. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to the nearside front suspension arm bushes, which were flagged in 2021 and 2022 as worn but not excessively so; any clunking, vague steering, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle could indicate these have since deteriorated beyond advisory thresholds. The nearside front lower arm pin or bush was specifically noted on the 2022-08-10 test, so a hoist inspection to check for play in that joint would be worthwhile before purchase. The braking system has produced the most consistent stream of advisories, with rear brake pad wear noted in 2021, 2022, and 2025, and pitted or scored front and rear brake discs recorded in 2021 and 2024. During a road test, feel for any judder through the brake pedal under firm application, which would confirm the discs have worn beyond the advisory threshold, and listen for any dragging or pulling sensation that could indicate the offside rear caliper binding issue noted in 2025 has worsened. The minor exhaust leak recorded in 2024 and the deteriorated rear heat shield from 2025 should be visually inspected from underneath for any new corrosion, loose hangers, or audible ticking under load. Finally, the nearside and offside rear tyres flagged for cracking in 2021 should be examined for sidewall perishing, as rubber of this age is prone to hardening regardless of tread depth.