2012 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · EF62 FRO

The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a clean MOT pass in October 2025 at 65,199 miles. However, the maintenance trend shows a significant decline in standards during late 2024 after several years of stability. While the car passed without defects in 2022 and 2023, the November 2024 test revealed a high volume of mechanical and structural failures that required immediate attention before the most recent successful test. At 65,199 miles over 14 years, the S-Max reflects low mileage, averaging approximately 4,600 miles per year. This low usage often leads to age-related degradation of rubber components rather than wear from high mileage. Between November 2023 (53,598 miles) and November 2024 (61,247 miles), the vehicle covered roughly 7,649 miles, yet this period triggered multiple serious faults, suggesting the vehicle may have sat for long periods or was neglected leading up to the failures. A physical inspection must focus on the suspension and braking systems, as the 2024 record flagged multiple worn trailing arm bushes on the rear and a pitted offside front brake disc. The presence of corroded rear coil springs is a recurring concern for this model; the buyer should verify that these have been replaced and that any remaining surface rust has not progressed into structural thinning. The previous uneven wear on both front and rear tyres also indicates a persistent alignment issue that requires monitoring to prevent premature tyre replacement costs. The engine malfunction warning message recorded during the November 2024 failure is a critical point of interest. Although the car passed the subsequent test, the buyer should request a diagnostic scan to ensure no stored fault codes remain in the engine management unit. Given the low mileage and age, the inspector should also check for signs of perished hoses or fluid leaks, which are common in vehicles that are driven infrequently.