2017 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Petrol · EK17 EKF

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 13 March 2026 with no defects recorded, and this outcome is consistent with the preceding four tests conducted annually from February 2022 through March 2025, all of which returned clean passes. The absence of advisories, minor defects, or failure items across a continuous five-year MOT history is a strong indicator of a well-maintained vehicle with no documented deterioration in roadworthiness under the DVSA inspection regime. This stable, clean trend suggests that the owner has attended to maintenance items before they escalate to advisory or failure level, and it provides confidence that the primary safety-critical systems, including braking, suspension, steering, lighting, and exhaust integrity, have been functioning within legal limits at each annual assessment. With 47,955 miles recorded against a nine-year registration, the vehicle has averaged approximately 5,328 miles annually, which is notably below the typical usage profile for a family-orientated MPV of this age and class. While low mileage generally equates to reduced wear on high-friction components such as clutch, brake pads, and engine internals, prolonged standing periods associated with low annual use can introduce a different set of age-related concerns. Components most susceptible to deterioration from inactivity rather than mileage accumulation include brake discs susceptible to surface corrosion, caliper slide pins prone to seizing, rubber seals and bushes subject to dry-rot, and the 12-volt battery which can suffer sulphation if the vehicle has been left unused for extended intervals. The MOT history shows steady, roughly equal annual mileage progression between tests with no apparent long gaps in MOT coverage, which is reassuring from a continuity perspective. For a prospective buyer inspecting this Ford S-MAX in person, particular attention should be paid to the physical condition of the tyres despite not being flagged at MOT, as rubber compounds degrade with age regardless of tread depth. Inspect the sidewalls for signs of perishing, cracking, or crazing, and confirm the manufacturing date code on the sidewall indicates manufacture within the last five to six years. The brake discs should be visually examined for severe edge corrosion or lipping, as standing vehicles frequently develop surface rust that, while not detrimental to safety, can cause brake shudder or vibration on the first applications after a period of inactivity. On the test drive, listen for any binding or grabbing sensation from the brakes, particularly from cold, and verify that the vehicle pulls away evenly without juddering. The 12-volt battery should be load-tested if possible, as a battery approaching end of service life in a low-use vehicle can leave the buyer stranded unexpectedly, and any warning lights relating to battery management or stop-start functionality should be investigated. Finally, although the MOT record is clean, the assessment should not be limited to the statutory inspection alone, and a comprehensive pre-purchase evaluation of time-based service items is strongly recommended. Verify the full service history stamps in the vehicle's service book, ensuring that engine oil and filter changes, brake fluid renewal, coolant replacement, and transmission fluid servicing have been carried out at manufacturer-recommended intervals irrespective of the low mileage. Brake fluid is hygroscopic and should typically be renewed every two to three years, while coolant systems benefit from periodic flush and replacement to prevent internal corrosion and scale build-up. The cambelt or timing chain service interval should be confirmed against Ford's published schedule, as this is a calendar and mileage-based maintenance item critical to engine longevity. A compression test or diagnostic scan for stored fault codes in the engine, transmission, and ABS control modules would also provide valuable reassurance beyond the MOT certificate, helping to identify developing issues in electronic sensors or emission control systems that the standard MOT test may not fully evaluate.