2014 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · RO64 PXF

The defining mechanical theme for this 2014 Ford S-Max is a pattern of brake component degradation that culminated in a dangerous failure in early 2021, followed by five years of passes that nevertheless document a recurring pattern of brake disc and pad advisories, suspension arm wear, and front tyre edge wear. The most recent test on 2026-06-03 was a pass, but it carried four advisories covering nearside front tyre wear close to the legal limit, brake disc pitting on both front and rear axles, thinning rear brake pads, and worn trailing arm pins or bushes on both sides at the rear. These advisories are not isolated observations; the same braking components and tyre wear patterns have surfaced repeatedly since 2021, and the historical dangerous defect for an offside rear brake pad below 1.5 mm remains on record as a serious prior safety failure. While the post-2021 sequence shows the vehicle has continued to pass roadworthiness tests, the consistency of brake disc and pad advisories across multiple consecutive tests points to an underlying wear pattern rather than incidental observation. Recorded mileage of 82,138 miles across approximately 12 years equates to around 6,845 miles per year, which is broadly typical of average UK driving patterns. Testing intervals from 2021 onwards have been regular and annual, with no extended gaps suggesting the vehicle was laid up off the road, and mileage accumulation between recorded tests appears consistent with the annual average. There is no indication of a multi-year stationary period that would raise concerns about dormant corrosion, seized brake calipers, or deteriorated rubber components. The mileage profile itself is unremarkable for a vehicle of this age and body type, which keeps the focus firmly on the wear pattern observed in the brake and suspension systems rather than on usage-driven deterioration concerns. For a test drive and physical inspection, particular attention should be paid to the rear brake system given the dangerous pad failure recorded in 2021 and the repeated brake disc and pad advisories since. Listen for any scraping or grinding from the rear wheels, which would suggest pad material is once again approaching the backing plate, and feel for any pulsing or judder through the brake pedal that could correspond to the pitted or scored discs noted across multiple tests. The rear brake calipers should be checked for binding or sticking, particularly after the vehicle has been driven and the wheels remain warm, and the handbrake should be tested on an incline to confirm effective rear brake function. A visual inspection of the rear brake pads through the wheel spokes, or by removing the wheels, is strongly advisable before purchase. The front tyres showing edge wear on both sides across multiple tests is a recurring advisory and should be examined carefully, as uneven inner or outer shoulder wear typically points to suspension geometry issues rather than simple tyre ageing. Combined with the rear trailing arm bush wear flagged at the latest test, this raises the prospect of broader suspension wear on this vehicle. During the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear suspension over speed humps and bumpy surfaces, particularly as the trailing arm bushes are noted as worn on both sides. The steering should be checked for any pulling to one side under braking, and the rear of the vehicle should be inspected for any uneven tyre wear that might correlate with the noted suspension component deterioration. The front brake system should also be assessed given the recurring disc advisories, checking for smooth pedal feel without excess travel or sponginess, and confirming the front pads, last flagged as very thin in 2021, have been adequately replaced and monitored since.