2007 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · NG57 CVX

The Ford S-Max displays a worsening maintenance trend punctuated by recurrent failures and an accumulation of deferred chassis wear, culminating in the most recent pass on October 9, 2025, at 160,598 miles. This latest test followed an initial failure the previous day due to a critically degraded nearside rear suspension arm bush, alongside persistent advisories noting worn front lower suspension arm bushes and a damaged track rod end dust cover. While the vehicle cleared these hurdles after immediate rectification, the repeat structural and linkage alerts indicate that the mechanical margins are tightening as the vehicle ages. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 8,453 miles per year across its nineteen-year lifespan, representing typical, consistent usage without severe periods of dormancy or extreme over-mileage. The vehicle averaged around 7,000 to 9,000 miles annually in its early years, stepping up moderately past 150,000 miles by late 2024. This steady pacing implies the car has spent its life in regular service, though the continuous usage has accelerated wear across its heavy load-bearing subframes and suspension geometry. A prospective buyer must prioritize a thorough physical inspection of the rear suspension arms, subframes, and brake infrastructure. Both front and rear subframes carried corrosion notices through the 2023 and 2024 tests, while front and rear brake lines required monitoring for grease-covered corrosion during the same period. Dual front wheel bearings exhibited slight noise in late 2024, and past structural corrosion at the rear coil spring mountings in 2021 demonstrates that this chassis is susceptible to deep-seated degradation. Negotiating a pre-purchase ramp inspection focusing on the bushes, subframe corrosion, and exhaust flexi joint is strongly recommended.