2011 Ford C-MAX 2.0L Diesel · WN61 SSZ

This fifteen-year-old Ford C-MAX presents a broadly consistent MOT record, with the most recent test on 24 August 2026 returning a pass, though it was accompanied by an accumulation of advisories that signal areas warranting close attention before purchase. Across the eight tests on file, only one outright failure is recorded, in August 2025, which was entirely attributable to lighting and washer fluid deficiencies rather than structural or mechanical integrity. The current advisory list, however, is the most extensive in the recorded history and includes inner-edge front tyre wear, pale rear indicators, and a partially detached rear exhaust heat shield. These items individually are minor, but together they suggest that consumable wear and underbody components are beginning to demand attention at this mileage and age. The vehicle has covered 113,031 miles over approximately fifteen years, equating to an annual average of around 7,535 miles, which is broadly typical for a car of this vintage and class. Annual mileage has remained within a fairly consistent range, with no prolonged gaps in testing history and no evidence of extended off-road periods that could foster corrosion or component seizure. At this odometer reading, wear-related items such as suspension bushes, anti-roll bar links, coil springs, clutch operation, and drivetrain mounts should be regarded as approaching the latter stages of their typical service life, particularly given the front tyre inner-edge wear flagged at the latest test, which can indicate alignment drift, worn suspension geometry, or deteriorated strut top mounts. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection and test drive on the components most recently flagged. The front tyre wear pattern noted on the inner edge should be examined in detail, as uneven wear on one side typically points to a camber issue, worn wishbone bushes, or a failing ball joint, and a test drive over broken surfaces should be used to listen for clonking or knocking from the front suspension. Brake feel and response warrant particular scrutiny given the 2021 advisory noting pitting and scoring on both front discs along with a thin nearside rear brake pad; the front discs may now be at or near the minimum thickness, and any judder under braking, pulling to one side, or a soft or spongy pedal would warrant further investigation. The partially detached rear exhaust heat shield is a low-cost fix but can produce a noticeable rattle on start-up or under load, and it is worth checking that no further exhaust hangers or mounting points have deteriorated. Finally, the recurring registration plate lamp failures and pale rear indicators identified in both 2025 and 2026 suggest either underlying wiring or earth issues that a buyer may wish to have checked, as corroded lamp holders are a common cause of intermittent lighting faults on vehicles of this age. The washer system should be confirmed as fully functional, and the boot and bonnet catch condition verified, as general electrical gremlins become more prevalent at this stage of a vehicle's life. The MOT history does not record any advisories relating to corrosion, structural integrity, fluid leaks, steering play, or suspension component failure, which is reassuring, but the overall picture is one of a high-mileage family car entering a phase where routine wear items and underbody condition will require more frequent attention. A pre-purchase inspection by a qualified technician, including a road test and a check on a ramp, would be a prudent measure to confirm the mechanical state behind the advisories raised.