2018 Ford C-MAX 1.5L Diesel · SL68 AAO

A C-MAX of this vintage and mileage presents a generally tidy DVSA history, with five consecutive pass entries spanning from August 2022 through the most recent test on 20 January 2026 and no recorded failures or refusals across the available record. The single set of advisories was issued at the January 2025 test, which noted a nearside rear tyre with slight damage, cracking or perishing, and front tyres described as worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge both sides. Outside of that inspection, the 2023, 2024 and 2026 tests all returned clean sheets, and the trend across the record is therefore one of stable roadworthiness rather than a developing pattern of mechanical deterioration, albeit with the caveat that tyre condition is the only component family to have attracted tester attention. The recorded mileage of 46,133 miles over roughly eight years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 5,700 miles, which is well below the typical figure for a family hatchback of this age and points to either genuine light use or extended periods of inactivity. Such a profile tends to be kinder to high-wear drivetrain and clutch components but can place specific stress on items that suffer from disuse: rubber boots and bushes can dry out and crack, brake calipers and carriers can seize through lack of movement, and the 12V battery, coolant and brake fluid will all degrade on a time basis rather than a mileage basis. The DVSA record contains no gaps suggesting the vehicle was off the road for multiple consecutive years, so the advisories seen in 2025 are not obviously linked to a long lay-up, but the low average does justify particularly close inspection of time-sensitive components during any viewing. With the only flagged items being the front and rear tyres, a prospective buyer should focus on what has happened since January 2025 and whether the wear pattern noted by the tester has been addressed. The front edge wear both sides is a classic symptom of either under-inflation or worn suspension components, most commonly droplink bushes, top mounts, or weakened coil springs allowing the wheel to sit at an incorrect angle. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to steering behaviour such as wandering, pulling to one side under braking, or a vague, unsettled feel through the wheel. With the engine running and the car stationary, twisting the steering lock to lock with the wheels on full lock can also reveal any rasping or binding from the power steering system. The nearside rear tyre advisory for damage, cracking or perishing should be treated as a prompt to inspect the full set of tyres for age-related sidewall cracking, uneven tread wear across the axle, and any bulges or embedded debris, as rubber that has been standing for prolonged periods can deteriorate from the inside out. Given the low overall mileage, the brake discs and pads are likely to be relatively unworn, but the caliper slide pins and rear drum or caliper mechanisms should be checked for free movement, as seized calipers are a common cause of MOT failure on lightly used cars. Finally, request evidence of the timing belt or chain replacement interval relative to age, verify the operation of the air conditioning compressor, and lift the bonnet to look for perished coolant hoses, stale brake fluid, and any signs of oil seepage around the cam cover or sump gasket, as these are the areas most likely to demand attention on a low-mileage C-MAX regardless of the test outcome.