2016 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · LC66 ACJ

Front tyre wear has been the recurring theme across this S-MAX's MOT history, with advisories logged in 2022, 2023, and 2025 flagging cuts, cracking, and inner-edge wear on both nearside and offside front tyres. The 2025 test also recorded rear brake pads wearing thin, while a minor windscreen damage note appeared at the same time. Despite these recurring advisories, the vehicle has not failed an MOT across five recorded tests spanning 2022 to 2026, with the most recent examination on 7 May 2026 returning a clean pass with no defects recorded. This pattern points to a car that has consistently met minimum roadworthiness standards but carries an ongoing concern around front tyre condition, which warrants direct physical inspection by any prospective buyer. With 61,319 miles recorded over ten years, this S-MAX has covered approximately 6,132 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of its age and suggests a mixture of regular commuting and longer-distance use. There are no multi-year gaps in testing that would indicate prolonged standing, and the roughly annual progression of tests reflects a car that has remained actively driven. Mechanically, this steady accumulation is generally favourable for the longevity of seals, gaskets, and the 12V battery, while still placing normal wear on suspension components, brake friction materials, and drivetrain mounts. The mileage level is consistent with a vehicle that should have already had timing belt or chain service, brake fluid renewal, and possibly an automatic transmission fluid change, depending on the powertrain fitted. Given the repeated front tyre advisories over three separate tests, close attention should be paid to the wheel alignment and the condition of the front suspension components, as uneven or inner-edge tyre wear is frequently linked to worn suspension arms, droplinks, bushes, or top mount bearings. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for imprecise steering, vague self-centring, or pulling to one side under braking or acceleration. Inspect all four tyres for uneven tread across the width, sidewall cracking, and any bulges, and confirm that the replacements fitted after the 2025 advisories are matching brands and sizes to avoid differential wear rates. The 2025 advisory on rear brake pads wearing thin should prompt a direct check of pad material thickness on both sides and an inspection of the rear brake discs for lipping, scoring, or corrosion, as worn pads accelerate disc surface deterioration. On the road, listen for any grinding, squealing, or binding sensation on release, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline. The minor windscreen damage noted in 2025 should be re-examined to ensure it has not propagated into the driver's primary line of sight, as a crack within the swept area of the windscreen would constitute an immediate failure. Finally, given the absence of any recorded advisories relating to corrosion, exhaust integrity, or suspension linkages beyond the front tyres, a thorough visual inspection of the rear brake pipes, subframe mounting points, and exhaust hangers remains worthwhile to confirm the structural and emission standards remain intact before purchase.