2010 Ford S-MAX Zetec Tdci 2.0L Heavy oil · ST10 AEC

The vehicle presents a stable roadworthiness profile following a successful MOT on 31 March 2026 at 130,919 miles. The most recent testing cycle shows a pattern of immediate retests after failures, specifically in March 2026, March 2025, and March 2024. While these failures occurred, the absence of recorded defects on the failed certificates suggests either administrative errors or minor issues that were rectified immediately without being formally logged. The current clean pass indicates that the vehicle is presently meeting minimum legal standards with no outstanding advisories. The mileage accumulation is consistent with a vehicle of this age, averaging approximately 8,182 miles per year. The record shows steady progression from 51,211 miles in March 2015 to 130,919 miles in March 2026. There are no significant periods of long-term inactivity or sudden bursts of high-intensity usage. This gradual increase suggests regular, predictable use which typically correlates with more consistent mechanical wear rather than the degradation often seen in vehicles that sit idle for extended periods. Historical data from 2020 and 2021 highlights specific areas of wear that a buyer should investigate. The August 2021 test flagged worn Macpherson strut pins or bushes on the offside front, and the September 2020 test noted a noisy offside front wheel bearing alongside worn front tyres. Although these issues appear to have been addressed to achieve subsequent passes, the recurring nature of tyre and suspension component wear suggests a need to inspect the current condition of the suspension bushes, ball joints, and wheel bearings. The 2016 failure provides the most significant insight into the vehicle's mechanical history, involving a major exhaust leak, broken parking brake cables, and thinning brake pads. While the vehicle has passed multiple tests since then without similar major failures, a physical inspection of the exhaust system for corrosion and the braking system for cable integrity and pad thickness is advisable. Checking the underside for any signs of structural corrosion or fluid leaks would be a prudent step given the vehicle's age and previous history of component wear.