2016 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · EN16 NBF

The 2.0-litre TDCi diesel in the S-MAX is capable of mid-40s mpg on a long run and mid-30s around town, meaning a typical annual fuel bill of around £1,200-£1,500 for 10,000 miles at current diesel prices. Road tax sits in a reasonable band for a vehicle of this age and engine size, and insurance is generally group 20-25 depending on trim, so expect premiums in the £450-£650 range for an experienced driver.

Servicing on the 2.0 TDCi is straightforward but parts such as front brake discs and pads tend to wear together and cost around £350-£450 to replace at a main dealer, with independent garages typically charging £200-£280. The most likely bigger-ticket items as the car climbs past 70,000 miles are the dual-mass flywheel (if clutch work is needed, budget £700-£900 including clutch) and any DPF regeneration or replacement work, which can run £400-£1,200 depending on severity. Timing chain replacement on this engine is uncommon but not unheard of above 80,000 miles.

Combining fuel, tax, insurance, routine servicing and a modest allowance for tyres and wear-and-tear, you should budget in the region of £2,200-£2,600 per year to run this S-MAX comfortably. Allowing a contingency for an unexpected repair in any given year is sensible on a ten-year-old diesel.

Begin with the tyres, as the MOT failure specifically cited the nearside front having exposed ply or cords and the offside front being worn close to the legal limit on both edges. Uneven edge wear on a front tyre can indicate worn suspension bushes, droplinks or geometry misalignment, so jack the car and check for play in the front struts and wheel bearings by hand. Also inspect the rear tyres for the perishing pattern noted in 2023, as older rubber cracks develop even on tread that appears adequate.

The S-MAX has a known weakness for rear number plate illumination and boot light lens issues, both of which appear repeatedly in this vehicle's MOT record. While these are not safety-critical, they suggest the trim around the tailgate has been worked on at some point, so check for water ingress in the boot and ensure the tailgate struts hold the door confidently. The side repeater lens advisory on the nearside front is also a recurring Ford item — cheap to fix but worth noting.

Finally, look at the diesel-specific systems. Check the exhaust for soot staining at the joints and any signs of DPF warning lights on the dashboard. The 2.0 TDCi is also prone to EGR valve carbon build-up, particularly on urban-driven cars, so a live data scan for EGR position and boost pressure is worthwhile. A test that includes at least 20 miles of sustained running will help reveal any hesitation, smoke or unusual noises that a short test drive would miss.