2017 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · LP17 LNH

The most recent DVSA test on 5 August 2026 resulted in a Pass, but only after the vehicle had been presented the same day and failed initially on a malfunctioning Tyre Pressure Monitoring System and an inoperative nearside front position lamp. These are relatively minor electronic and lighting defects rather than structural or mechanical concerns, and a clean pass was achieved once rectified. Looking at the broader test history, the 2023 electronic parking brake failure was the most significant mechanical event recorded, though no recurrence has appeared in the three subsequent tests, suggesting that issue was addressed rather than ongoing. The repeated tyre-related advisories and dangerous failures across 2022, 2025, and 2026 do point to a pattern of uneven or accelerated tyre wear rather than neglect of outright maintenance. Overall, the trend over the last three years is broadly stable with the vehicle being kept in a roadworthy condition, although the recurring tyre condition warrants closer scrutiny during physical inspection. With 71,391 miles recorded over approximately nine years, this S-MAX has covered an average of around 7,900 miles per annum, which is consistent with typical family use and broadly proportionate to its age. There are no obvious extended gaps in the MOT record, suggesting the vehicle has been in continuous use rather than laid up for long periods, which is generally favourable for avoiding standing-related issues such as seized brake calipers, perished coolant hoses, or flat-spotted tyres. However, the annual mileage is not particularly low, so consumable wear on brake pads and discs, clutches if manual, and suspension components should be assumed to be progressing in line with the odometer reading rather than benefiting from reduced-use protection. The persistent tyre-related advisories and the dangerous failure for both front tyres below the 1.6mm legal tread limit in August 2025 are the most notable recurring concern in this vehicle's history. This suggests potential tracking misalignment, worn front suspension components such as bushes or wishbone bushes, or simply a pattern of tyres being run until the last moment before replacement. A prospective buyer should examine all four tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear, feathering on the tread blocks, or inner-edge wear, all of which can indicate worn suspension bushes, top mounts, or drop links. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay attention to steering vagueness or wandering, which would confirm deteriorated front-end components. The 2023 electronic parking brake issue, while not repeated, means the handbrake operation should be verified by attempting to apply it on an incline to confirm both rear calipers are actuating correctly, and the rear discs checked for corrosion pitting given their age. Beyond the recorded defects, this nine-year-old S-Max warrants a thorough age-related inspection regardless of its MOT history. Brake discs should be examined for lipping and surface corrosion, particularly if the vehicle has seen short-trip urban use, and the fluid reservoirs should be checked for brake fluid colour, as brake fluid is hygroscopic and degrades over time irrespective of mileage, typically requiring replacement every two to three years. The 12-volt battery should be load-tested, as batteries of this age commonly fail without warning, particularly in vehicles with significant electronic loads. Under the bonnet, inspect coolant hoses and the cam belt or chain service history, as the 1.5 and 2.0 TDCi engines fitted to this generation require timing belt replacement at manufacturer-specified intervals. Finally, examine the underside for any corrosion around the rear axle, subframes, and suspension mounting points, and verify that the service book contains regular stamps confirming timely fluid and filter changes, which is critical on a diesel vehicle approaching this age and mileage.