2006 Ford S-MAX 1.8L Diesel · EU56 XRB

A high annual mileage of around 15,700 miles is paired with a curiously clean MOT record, presenting a mechanical narrative dominated by usage rather than flagged defects. The most recent test on 28 January 2026 was passed without any advisories, matching the clean result from December 2024 and continuing a pattern seen since 2023. Two prior failures, in December 2024 and December 2023, were both recorded with no defects logged against them, which typically indicates that the car failed on emissions or brake performance metrics that were remedied between the fail and the immediate re-test. The absence of any structural advisories, corrosion notes, or component-level wear items across six years of testing suggests the vehicle has been kept in a roadworthy condition, with no recurring issues called out by examiners. The recorded mileage of 313,992 on a 2006 vehicle is substantial, averaging roughly 15,700 miles per year over its twenty-year life. This level of use places considerably more stress on consumable and mechanical components than would be expected on a lower-mileage example of the same age. High-mileage wear on an S-Max of this generation typically concentrates on suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, front lower arms, coil springs, brake discs and pads, and clutch components on the manual variants. Although no advisories were recorded at the 2026 test, the underlying wear on these parts from sustained high annual use will be advanced compared to the odometer reading alone might suggest for a vehicle of this vintage. For a prospective buyer, the lack of flagged corrosion or suspension wear in the MOT history is a positive sign, but the test drive should focus on components that commonly degrade under heavy use without necessarily being caught at MOT. Listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which points to worn drop links, wishbone bushes, or strut top mounts. Feel for any vibration through the steering wheel under braking, suggesting warped front brake discs, and check for a soft or spongy brake pedal that could indicate caliper binding or hydraulic issues developing between tests. Pay particular attention to any pulling to one side under acceleration or braking, as this can indicate worn suspension geometry components that have not yet reached the MOT failure threshold. Additional checks should include a thorough inspection of the engine bay for any signs of oil misting or weepage around the cam cover, turbo, and lower crank seals, as high-mileage diesel and petrol S-Max units are known for these seals hardening. On the road, listen for any whining from the manual gearbox or signs of clutch slip under load, particularly in higher gears. Inspect the exhaust system for blowing joints or rattling heat shields, which often develop after the MOT has been passed. Finally, examine the underside for surface corrosion on brake pipes, subframe mounting points, and the rear suspension trailing arms, as the S-Max chassis is known to develop rust in these areas once mileage and age combine, even if the most recent examiner did not flag it as an advisory.