2012 Ford C-MAX 1.6L Petrol · LL12 DBU

A consistent pattern of suspension and brake wear advisories defines the roadworthiness profile of this 2012 Ford C-MAX, with both front lower suspension arm rear bushes flagged across the 2025 and 2026 tests and pitted front brake discs appearing at the most recent examination. Although the 2024 test returned a clean pass with no defects recorded, this appears to be an isolated clean year rather than evidence of sustained mechanical improvement, as the 2023 and earlier records show front tyre wear advisories and front brake pad thinning. The 2026 test culminated in a failure on the offside stop lamp, a relatively minor electrical rectification but indicative of routine age-related electrical wear on a vehicle approaching its mid-teens. The repeated suspension arm bush advisories, present on both nearside and offside sides at successive tests, suggest the bushes have been degrading progressively rather than being replaced at advisory stage. Recorded mileage of 104,998 across fourteen years equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 7,500 miles, which sits within normal expectations for a family crossover of this age and sector. There are no significant gaps in the testing history that would suggest extended periods off the road, with annual MOTs recorded continuously from 2021 through 2026, indicating consistent operational use. The mileage progression between tests is steady, ruling out any concerns about clocked readings or unusually rapid accumulation that could imply high-mileage commercial use. At this mileage level, wear on consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension components is fully consistent with the advisory patterns observed in the MOT record. For a prospective purchaser, the front suspension arm rear bushes warrant close physical inspection, as advisory-stage wear progresses with continued mileage and can develop into component separation if neglected. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during direction changes, and check for vague or wandering steering response at motorway speeds which can indicate worn bushes allowing excessive movement. The pitted front brake discs should be inspected for vibration through the steering wheel under braking and any pulsing or judder felt through the brake pedal, as corrosion pitting can accelerate pad wear and reduce braking efficiency in wet conditions. The rear stepped tyres noted at the 2026 test indicate uneven wear across the tyre face, which can point to occasional under-inflation, kerbing damage, or rear suspension geometry concerns, and a buyer should verify matching tyre brands and check the rear wheel alignment. Finally, attention should be directed to the lighting system following the 2026 stop lamp failure, which although easily rectified can point to broader wiring or switch concerns on a vehicle of this age. A practical check should confirm operation of all exterior lamps including indicators, reverse lights, fog lamps, and number plate illumination. Given the history of front tyre edge wear at multiple tests, the wheel alignment and tracking should be measured and adjusted if outside tolerance, as misalignment will cause rapid reoccurrence of the same wear pattern on replacement tyres. The 2022 wiper failure is a single isolated incident and should not weigh heavily, but verifying effective screen clearing across both driver and passenger sweeps is worthwhile on a wet day demonstration. Overall, this is a vehicle with a serviceable MOT history showing typical age-related wear rather than structural or safety-critical failures, but one where front suspension bushes, brake discs, and tyres will likely require attention in the near term.