2014 Ford B-MAX 1.4L Petrol · N20 BAK

A consistent pattern of front brake-related advisories runs through the DVSA record of this 2014 Ford B-Max, with the most recent test on 13 July 2026 returning a clean pass but no fewer than five of the six recorded examinations containing notes on front brake discs, pads, or service brake fluctuation. The earliest 2019 advisory flagged front brake pads wearing thin alongside worn but not excessively scored front discs, and similar front disc pitting advisories reappeared on both sides in 2021, accompanied by the first recorded instances of fluctuating front service brake performance. This oscillation between a single advisory year and then clustered advisories across consecutive tests suggests the front braking components have been on a gradual wear trajectory, with the issue finally appearing to have settled into a more stable condition over the three most recent tests in 2024, 2025 and 2026, all of which recorded no defects. There have been no recorded failures, no structural or corrosion advisories, and no exhaust, lighting, or suspension component flagged other than the rear trailing arm bushes noted in 2021. With 41,384 miles accumulated over twelve years, the annual mileage averages around 3,449 miles, which is low for the vehicle's age and consistent with light everyday use or extended periods of standing. There are no gaps in the testing record and no sudden jumps in mileage between successive tests, indicating that the vehicle has been kept on the road continuously and used at a steady, modest rate. Mechanically, lower annual mileage of this nature typically reduces wear on major drivetrain components but can place specific demands on items that suffer from prolonged inactivity, such as brake discs corroding at the friction surface, brake pads seizing in their caliper guides, and suspension bushes and ball joints developing surface oxidation or stiffness from lack of regular articulation. The recorded advisories largely align with this pattern, particularly the pitted front brake discs and the fluctuating brake performance that became evident from 2020 onwards. For a prospective buyer, the front braking system should be the primary inspection focus, given the recurring advisories over the seven-year span. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, scraping, or squealing from the front wheels during low-speed manoeuvres, which would indicate pad wear or disc scoring beyond what has previously been recorded. With the vehicle moving, the brake pedal should feel firm and progressive; any pulsation, vibration through the steering wheel under heavy braking, or a tendency for the vehicle to pull to one side would suggest warped or unevenly worn front discs. Inspect the front discs directly for a pronounced lip at the outer edge and for visible pitting or rust patches across the braking surface, as the 2021 advisories specifically noted pitted and scored material on both nearside and offside front discs. The condition of the front brake pads should also be physically checked, as the 2019 advisory noted them wearing thin, and pad life on a vehicle of this age and mileage could now be approaching replacement again. The rear suspension trailing arm bushes, which were noted as slightly worn on both sides in 2021, represent a secondary but worthwhile inspection point, particularly given the low mileage and the potential for rubber components to harden or deteriorate through age rather than use. With the vehicle on level ground, check for any uneven tyre wear across the rear axle, which can indicate bush deterioration affecting trailing arm geometry. During a road test, listen for clonks or knocks from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly when traversing speed bumps or potholes at low speed, and pay attention to any vagueness or delay in the rear suspension response when cornering. Although no further advisories on these bushes have been recorded since 2021, a physical inspection of the bushes for cracking, splitting, or excessive movement using a pry bar would confirm they have not deteriorated further in the intervening period. Given the otherwise clean structural and corrosion record, attention to these specific previously flagged components should provide a reliable indication of the vehicle's current roadworthy state.