2007 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · LB06 UND

The 2007 Ford S-Max currently holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 6 October 2025, which is eight months old and approaching its first anniversary. The maintenance trend is clearly worsening. The vehicle failed its September 2025 test on multiple structural and braking defects before passing a retest just two weeks later, indicating that the previous owner addressed immediate failures rather than undertaking comprehensive preventative repair. The most recent pass is conditional, with two active corrosion advisories on the rear sub-frame and rear anti-roll bar noted as "not seriously weakened," a phrasing that signals active deterioration being monitored rather than resolved. Mileage data is too sparse to establish a reliable annual accumulation pattern. The only recorded figure is 120,703 miles logged on 31 March 2023. No subsequent test entries include odometer readings, making it impossible to calculate whether the vehicle has covered typical annual mileage or sat unused for extended periods. The gap between March 2023 and March 2024 shows no mileage progression data, and the absence of readings in the two most recent tests prevents any meaningful trend analysis. The September 2025 failure reveals a cluster of rear-end structural and mechanical concerns that a buyer must inspect in person. Both rear lower suspension arms were flagged for corrosion, with the offside arm seriously weakened enough to fail the test. Both rear coil springs were corroded, and both rear trailing arm bushes had separated due to excessive wear. The rear brake discs were worn and pads were wearing thin, while the parking brake failed efficiency requirements. These are not isolated consumable items. The pattern points to sustained neglect of the rear suspension and braking assembly, with corrosion attacking load-bearing components rather than just cosmetic surfaces. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough underbody inspection focusing on the rear sub-frame, lower suspension arms, coil springs, and trailing arm bushings. The advisories from the October 2025 pass confirm that corrosion is actively present on the rear sub-frame and anti-roll bar, and these areas need close examination for structural integrity. The rear braking system warrants inspection for disc thickness, pad condition, and parking brake function. Given the severity of the September 2025 failure, any future MOT could escalate these corrosion-related items from advisory to failure if left unaddressed.