2017 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · MF67 XPW

This 2017 Ford S-Max presents a notably clean roadworthiness profile across its recorded MOT history, with five consecutive passes from 2021 through to 2025 and no advisories or defects logged at any stage. The most recent test on 26 July 2025 returned a pass with no defects recorded, mirroring the outcomes of the four preceding examinations in August 2024, August 2023, August 2022, and September 2021. A complete absence of advisories over a four-year testing window is unusual and indicates that the areas typically scrutinised under the MOT regime, including braking components, suspension linkages, tyres, exhaust integrity, and structural condition, have all remained within serviceable limits at each annual check. While the MOT test is a snapshot rather than a comprehensive mechanical inspection, the consistency of clean passes suggests the vehicle has not been presenting borderline wear items at the time of testing, which is a positive indicator of ongoing maintenance or genuinely low wear rates. It is worth noting, however, that an MOT pass does not guarantee component condition between tests, and items such as brake pads, discs, or tyres can deteriorate within a twelve-month cycle. The recorded mileage of 81,934 miles against a nine-year vehicle age equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 9,104 miles, which sits squarely within typical usage parameters for a large family MPV of this generation. The MOT records do not contain mileage readings, so it is not possible to verify whether the mileage has been steady year-on-year or whether there have been periods of reduced activity, but the overall annual average suggests consistent rather than sporadic use. For a vehicle of this type and mileage, mechanical wear is most likely to be concentrated on consumable items such as brake pads and discs, clutch components on manual variants, tyres, and ancillary drive belts rather than on major structural or drivetrain elements. The diesel variants commonly paired with the S-Max can also be susceptible to issues such as dual-mass flywheel wear and EGR valve carbon build-up at higher mileages, though these items fall outside the scope of standard MOT testing and would require independent inspection. Given the absence of any flagged advisories, a prospective buyer should focus their pre-purchase attention on components that the MOT test does not fully cover but which are known wear items on this model and mileage bracket. During a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking noises from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, as worn lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and front shock absorber top mounts are common failure points on the S-Max. Steering should feel precise without clonking on full lock, and any vibration through the steering wheel under braking could indicate warped front brake discs rather than pad wear alone. On the engine side, check for any blue smoke on start-up or under hard acceleration, listen for timing chain rattle on cold starts, and inspect for oil seepage around the cam chain cover and turbo oil feed pipes on diesel models. A thorough under-bonnet inspection for coolant leaks around the water pump and thermostat housing is also advisable, as these are recurring failure items on the 2.0 TDCi unit commonly fitted to this vehicle. Beyond the mechanical checks, a buyer should elevate the vehicle on a ramp or use an inspection pit to examine the underside for corrosion, paying particular attention to the rear suspension trailing arm bushes, subframe mounting points, and brake pipe corrosion, all of which are areas that can deteriorate on higher-mileage S-Max examples. The handbrake mechanism on this model is also known to seize due to cable corrosion if the vehicle has been left standing, so the handbrake should be tested for firm application and clean release. Inspect the exhaust system for any blowing joints or signs of corrosion at the mounting rubbers, and check that the dual-clutch rear doors and tailgate operate smoothly, as their mechanisms can develop faults with age. Finally, verify the service history to confirm that timing belt replacement intervals have been observed on diesel variants, as the belt is due at six-year or 100,000-mile intervals and neglect of this item carries severe engine damage consequences.