2020 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · LP69 WNW

The 2020 Ford S-Max presents a mixed but largely stable roadworthiness picture across its recorded MOT history, with the most recent test on 27 February 2026 resulting in a pass after an earlier same-day fail for a non-functioning nearside front headlamp on dipped beam. This headlamp failure is the only outright defect recorded in the dataset and the only item to have caused a test to fail outright, suggesting an isolated electrical or bulb issue rather than a systemic concern. Prior to this, the vehicle passed cleanly in February 2024 and February 2023 with no advisories at all, and in March 2025 it passed with three advisories relating to tyre wear on the nearside axle and thinning rear brake pads. The overall trajectory is therefore one of steady compliance with a modest uptick in component wear advisories appearing in the most recent full inspection cycle before the 2026 test, which warrants attention to consumables but does not point to any structural or safety-critical deterioration. With approximately 40,665 miles accumulated over six years, the S-Max is running at an average of around 6,778 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the expected band for a family MPV of this age and represents fairly typical daily use rather than any extended period off the road or unusually high motorway mileage. There are no significant gaps between annual tests and no rapid mileage escalation between recordings, so the usage pattern appears consistent year on year. At this annual accumulation rate, mechanical wear on items such as brake discs, suspension bushes, and drivetrain components should be moderate rather than advanced, and the recorded advisories align broadly with what one would expect from a vehicle of this age and mileage reaching the point where original consumables begin to require replacement. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the items flagged in the 2025 advisory notices, as the nearside front and rear tyres were noted as worn close to the legal limit and on edge, which suggests the alignment geometry on the left-hand side may be drifting out of specification. On a test drive, listen for any pulling to the left under braking or steady throttle, feel for vibration through the steering wheel that could indicate uneven tyre wear or a worn nearside suspension component, and inspect the nearside front suspension arms, track rod ends, and bush condition for any play or perishing. Given the rear brake pad advisory, it is reasonable to assume the pads have since been renewed, but the buyer should verify when this work was carried out and ask to inspect the rear brake discs for lipping or scoring, as discs are often left in situ when pads are changed and can subsequently require replacement if they have dropped below minimum thickness. The 2026 headlamp failure is worth probing directly with the seller to confirm whether the bulb, connector, or wiring loom was at fault and whether any underlying electrical fault remains. On inspection, check that both dipped beam headlamps illuminate consistently on main beam and dipped beam settings, and verify that the warning light or dashboard indicator does not flag any bulb failure. The advisory noting a rear child seat obstructing full inspection of the adult belt is a routine observation rather than a mechanical concern, but it does mean that the rear seatbelt condition cannot be fully verified from the MOT record alone, so a physical check of the rear belts for fraying, retracting correctly, and latching securely would be prudent. Finally, given the recent uptick in advisories, a thorough inspection of all four tyres for age-related cracking, a check of the underbody for any early corrosion on subframe and brake pipe unions, and a general scan for oil leaks from the engine and transmission would round out a sensible pre-purchase appraisal.