2016 Ford B-MAX 1.6L Petrol · PL16 OBR

This 2016 Ford B-Max presents an unusually clean roadworthiness record across the eight MOT tests on file, with every examination from the earliest entry in May 2019 through to the most recent pass on 12 November 2025 returning a straightforward pass and no advisories or defects of any kind. There is no recorded failure, no recurring component flagged across consecutive tests, and no advisory text to suggest any component is approaching the threshold of concern. For a vehicle now ten years old, the absence of even minor advisories relating to tyre wear, brake condition, suspension components, or corrosion is notable, although it should be noted that MOT testing only captures condition at the point of test and does not confirm general mechanical health or maintenance between examinations. The trend is stable in the sense that the record contains no negative signals at all, with each annual test simply confirming the same clean outcome. The recorded mileage of 23,762 miles against a ten-year vehicle age equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 2,376 miles, which is considerably below typical usage for a car of this type and age. There is no mileage reading recorded against the 2019 tests to allow precise year-on-year verification, but the low headline figure suggests either genuinely light running or extended periods where the vehicle was not in regular use. Mechanically, this kind of low-mileage profile can mean that major drivetrain components such as the engine, transmission, and clutch have experienced minimal wear, but it also raises the possibility of issues associated with limited use. Rubber components, seals, and flexible hoses that deteriorate through age rather than mileage may be more relevant than wear-based items, and items that rely on regular operation such as the air conditioning compressor, brake caliper slide mechanisms, and exhaust mounting rubbers benefit from periodic use to remain free. For a prospective buyer, the lack of advisory history means there are no specific components directly flagged by the MOT record to investigate, so the inspection should focus on confirming that the clean test history reflects current condition rather than simply a period of limited use prior to the most recent test. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be paid to the flexible elements of the braking system, including the flexible brake hoses, the rear brake caliper slides, and the handbrake mechanism, as these can seize on low-mileage vehicles. The suspension should be assessed for component degradation rather than wear, including the condition of the strut top mount bearings, anti-roll bar bushes, and the rear torsion beam axle bushes, which can perish with age. The underside should be examined for surface corrosion to the subframe, suspension arms, and floor pan, as the Ford B-Max is known to be susceptible to corrosion in these areas even on well-maintained examples. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn strut top mount bearings or anti-roll bar drop links, and pay attention to any clonking from the rear over speed humps, which is a common symptom of perished rear beam bushes on this model. Check for uneven tyre wear across the full width of the front tyres, as this can reveal worn suspension arms or weak springs. The steering should feel precise without excess play or clonking through the column, and the brake pedal should feel firm without any sponginess that might indicate seized rear calipers. The engine should start promptly from cold, run smoothly without misfires or excessive vibration, and the automatic transmission or manual gearbox should engage all gears cleanly. Finally, operate the sliding rear doors, which are a defining feature of the B-Max, to confirm they latch securely and that the integrated central pillar mechanism functions correctly, as these are unique to this model and can be costly to rectify if the cable or latch mechanism has deteriorated.