2010 Ford C-MAX 1.6L Diesel · SY10 ACV

The 2021‑08‑19 MOT at 163,382 miles resulted in a pass, but the record shows persistent advisories on the near‑side and off‑side rear suspension arm pins and bushes, and the near‑side front tyre was worn close to the legal limit. The vehicle remains road‑worthy for the present, yet the repeated suspension wear and the 2021‑07‑29 failure indicating binding off‑side front service brakes suggest a maintenance trend that is neither improving nor deteriorating dramatically, but rather staying steady with recurring mechanical issues. At 16 years of age, the C‑Max’s 163,382 miles equate to roughly 10,200 miles per year, which is typical for a lightly used family car. Mileage accumulation has been relatively even, with only minor jumps such as the 17,000‑mile increase between March 2015 and April 2016 and a 6,000‑mile rise from March 2018 to April 2019; the two tests in August 2020 recorded the same mileage, indicating no significant periods of standing still. A buyer should therefore focus on the suspension components flagged repeatedly – inspecting the condition of the trailing‑arm bushes, arm pins and associated mounting brackets for excessive play or corrosion – and verify that the rear brakes are not binding, especially the off‑side front service brake noted in the 2021 failure. Particular attention must also be given to tyre tread depth, edge wear patterns that may indicate alignment problems, steering rack inner‑joint play, oil leaks around the shock absorbers, and any signs of structural rust on the chassis or suspension mounting points. If these items are found to be within acceptable limits, the vehicle can be considered a sound purchase; however, the recurring suspension advisories and tyre wear suggest that forthcoming replacement of bushes, arm pins and possibly brake components may be required soon after acquisition.