2007 Ford S-MAX 1.8L Diesel · SW56 HWL

The most recent MOT on 5 Nov 2021 was a PASS at 124 660 mi, but the tester noted a deteriorating rear registration plate, a minor oil leak and wear on rear suspension arm pins/bushes, plus slight play on the nearside drag‑link ball joint. Across the last three years the same areas keep re‑appearing: rear trailing‑arm bushes, front lower suspension arm dust‑covers, sub‑frame bush wear and drag‑link ball‑joint play. In 2020 the car failed twice for serious corrosion of the rear lower suspension arms and for sub‑frame bush separation. The 2021 failures added fuel‑pipe insecurity and an anti‑roll‑bar dust‑cover issue, and the 2021 pass still flagged the same bush wear and plate problem. The pattern shows a persistent, slowly worsening wear‑trend rather than a clear improvement. While the 2021 pass means no immediate safety defect, the recurring advisory items suggest that the suspension and related bushings are approaching the end of their service life and could become unsafe without repair. Mileage of 124 660 mi for a 19‑year‑old S‑Max works out to about 6 500 mi per year – essentially average for its age. The figure alone does not prove heavy use, but combined with the documented bush and joint wear it indicates moderate wear on suspension components rather than a period of long inactivity. A buyer should focus first on a hands‑on inspection of the suspension: check for play in the drag‑link ball joint, movement in the rear trailing‑arm bushes and condition of the front lower arm dust‑covers. Verify the source of the oil leak and confirm the registration plate is clearly readable.