2007 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · EX07 OXM

A clear pattern of chronic rear suspension corrosion and premature rear tyre wear dominates the MOT history of this 2007 Ford S-MAX, with related advisories appearing on every recorded test from 2020 through early 2024 before a cleaner pair of passes at the most recent two examinations in October 2023 and October 2024. The rear coil springs have been flagged as corroded across four consecutive tests between 2020 and 2023, alongside recurring advisories for corroded rear lower suspension arms noted as not seriously weakened in 2020 and 2021. The rear tyres have likewise been repeatedly marked as worn close to the legal limit, with the January 2022 advisory specifically noting inner and outer edge wear, a wear pattern consistent with the deteriorated spring units or worn rear suspension geometry. Two failures sit within the record: one on 18 October 2023 recorded as Dangerous for nearside front and both rear tyres below the 1.6mm tread requirement, paired with Major defects for both front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers failing to keep dirt out, followed by a pass the very next day; and an earlier failure on 29 January 2022 for both headlamps aimed too high. No mileage figures are recorded on any of the tests, meaning usage intensity cannot be verified, but the consistent year-on-year attendance at test from 2020 through 2024 indicates the vehicle has remained in regular service rather than laid up, which on a 2007 model equates to nineteen years of exposure to road conditions and underlines why corrosion-related advisories have been so persistent. The absence of recorded odometer readings is itself a noteworthy factor for any prospective buyer, as it prevents confirmation of the annual mileage accumulation or verification that the engine and transmission have covered typical rather than excessive distances for the vehicle's age. With no figures to compare against the calendar year spread, a buyer should treat the mileage shown on the dashboard at viewing as unverified and should independently confirm it through the V5C logbook, any available service invoices, and an HPI check. The yearly testing cadence with no long gaps suggests the car has not been off the road for extended periods, which is mechanically relevant because stored vehicles tend to suffer from seized brakes, perished hoses, and deteriorated tyre sidewalls, none of which can be assumed here. Equally, the lack of mileage history means wear items could have been replaced at any point without that work being visible in the MOT record. For a prospective buyer, the rear suspension components are the priority area to inspect and evaluate on a physical inspection and test drive. The advisories for corroded rear coil springs and rear lower suspension arms warrant a close look from underneath the vehicle at the spring coils for flaking scale, pitting, or any section loss that could allow a coil to fracture under load, a known failure mode on Ford S-MAX vehicles of this generation. The rear lower suspension arms should be examined for surface corrosion versus deeper structural corrosion that has thinned the metal, and a test drive over uneven surfaces should be used to listen for clonking or knocking from the rear, particularly over speed humps and transverse joins, which would suggest advanced bush wear or loose arm fixings. The front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust covers that failed in October 2023 should also be checked for renewed gaiters and for any play when the wheel is rocked by hand at the twelve and six o'clock positions. The tyres and headlamp aim defects complete the picture of items requiring attention. The Dangerous tread depth failures on three tyres in October 2023 and the repeated rear edge wear advisories point to either a recurring geometry issue from the rear suspension deterioration, persistent overloading of the vehicle, or a pattern of tyres being run until nearly illegal rather than being replaced preventively. Any prospective purchase should include a fresh set of tyres in budgeting if the fitted ones show uneven wear, and the rear wheel alignment should be checked to establish whether the spring or arm corrosion is pulling the geometry out of specification. The January 2022 headlamp aim failure on both sides, later recorded only as passed advisories, should prompt a check that the headlamp levelling mechanism, where fitted, is functioning correctly and that both beams sit at the correct height on a flat surface. Finally, the recurring advisory that the third row seat belts could not be inspected due to luggage being piled on the seats in 2020 and 2021 indicates this S-MAX has been used heavily as a family or load-carrying vehicle, so all seven seat belts and their anchorages should be physically checked and pulled firmly to confirm retraction and locking function before purchase.