2011 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · LL11 WNB

The most recent MOT on 25 March 2024 recorded a Pass, but it was accompanied by a number of advisories and a few PRS (headlamp aim) items. Earlier in the same year the vehicle also logged a failure for the same items, indicating that the examiner initially deemed the faults serious enough to fail before they were remedied. Since 2020 the pattern has shifted from outright failures for rear brake binding, parking‑brake mis‑adjustment and exhaust‑shield movement to a series of advisory notes on tyre wear, brake‑pad thickness and lighting. This suggests that the owner has been addressing the critical safety items, and the overall maintenance trajectory is now stabilising rather than deteriorating, though the car still carries several wear‑related warnings that will need attention. At 189 640 mi the S‑Max has averaged roughly 12‑13 000 mi per year over its fifteen‑year life, a mileage rate well above the typical 8‑10 000 mi/yr for a family MPV. Such high utilisation accelerates wear on the suspension bushings, constant‑velocity joints, clutch and gearbox components, as well as consumables such as brake pads, discs and tyres. The recorded mileage also implies that any mileage‑based service items – timing‑belt or chain, water‑pump, spark‑plugs and major engine oil changes – should have been performed several times already, and the vehicle may be approaching the end of its designed service life for those parts unless they have been replaced recently. When you inspect the car, give particular focus to the rear braking system: the pads have been flagged as thin on multiple occasions and the rear disc was noted as pitted and corroded in 2020. Expect reduced pedal feel, possible shudder when applying the brakes, and listen for any squeal that could indicate pad wear or disc surface irregularities. Verify that the parking brake now holds firmly and does not exhibit excessive lever travel, as the previous excessive movement could have been caused by worn adjusters or a stretched cable. Examine the rear exhaust shield for rust or loose mounting, and check the off‑side rear suspension arm for play – a worn bush can produce clunking over bumps and may affect wheel alignment. The front tyres have repeatedly been reported as close to the legal limit and showing edge wear; inspect the tread depth, sidewall cracking and any perishing, especially since the tyres are now over a decade old. Confirm that the headlamps are correctly aligned and that the registration‑plate lamps illuminate, as mis‑aimed lamps can cause a failure on re‑test. Beyond the specific defects, a vehicle of this age and mileage should be examined for age‑related deterioration. Look for cracked or softened tyre sidewalls, especially on any tyre that has not been replaced recently, and check the condition of the 12‑volt battery, which may have suffered from long periods of inactivity. Inspect the coolant reservoir and hoses for signs of swelling or leaks, and consider a full coolant flush if the level was previously low. Verify that the service book shows regular oil changes, timing‑belt or chain replacement (typically at 100 000 mi for a 2011 S‑Max), and that the brake fluid has been changed within the last two years. A comprehensive test drive should include listening for any rattles from the suspension, feeling for any pull to one side, and ensuring smooth, noise‑free gear changes. Addressing the brake‑pad and disc wear, tyre replacement, suspension bushings and lighting adjustments now will prevent a repeat MOT failure and give the buyer a clearer picture of remaining service life.