2016 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · WN66 XOF

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 10 September 2025 with no defects or advisories recorded, representing a clean and reassuring current roadworthiness position. Looking back through the documented history, the overall maintenance trend appears broadly stable, with several passes carrying no advisories interspersed with entries flagging wear items consistent with a vehicle of this age and mileage. The principal concerns to have emerged relate to rear brake components, specifically thin rear brake pads and pitted or scored rear brake discs noted across the 2023 and 2024 tests, together with repeated advisories concerning rear tyres wearing on their outer edges. A major failure for an ineffective offside front wiper was rectified at the 2024 retest, and the absence of any further advisories on the most recent pass suggests that attention has been given to these previously noted items, although the buyer should remain mindful of the rear axle wear pattern that has now appeared in three consecutive tests. The recorded mileage of 49,300 miles over a ten-year period equates to an annual average of approximately 4,930 miles, which is considerably below the typical usage rate for a family vehicle such as the Ford S-Max. This low annual figure suggests the car has likely seen a mixture of moderate use and extended periods of standing, the latter carrying its own mechanical implications. Components susceptible to degradation through inactivity include brake calipers, which can seize or bind from lack of use, brake discs, which are prone to surface corrosion particularly in damp UK conditions, the 12V battery, which suffers reduced service life when subjected to short journeys and prolonged standing, and exhaust systems, where internal and external corrosion can advance significantly on lightly used vehicles. Time-based servicing of fluids such as brake fluid, coolant and automatic transmission fluid (where applicable) becomes more important than mileage-based intervals, as calendar degradation proceeds regardless of use. With regard to the recurring rear brake and tyre advisories, a thorough physical inspection and test drive assessment is strongly advisable. The persistent rear brake pad wear and disc pitting suggests that the rear braking system has been working harder than expected, which can indicate a binding rear caliper, a faulty handbrake mechanism, or uneven brake bias, all of which warrant close scrutiny. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for clonking or grinding noises from the rear under light application, check for any pulling to one side under braking, and feel for vibration or shudder through the pedal that would indicate disc run-out or corrosion lipping. The rear tyres have been flagged for outer edge wear on three occasions, pointing towards either rear suspension geometry misalignment, worn rear suspension bushes or bush deflection, or possibly a tracking issue that has not been fully resolved. On inspection, the buyer should look for uneven shoulder wear on the current rear tyres and check the condition of the rear suspension components, particularly the trailing arms, bushes and coil springs, for any signs of deterioration. Beyond the documented items, age-related and standing-related checks should form a central part of any pre-purchase evaluation. Tyre sidewalls should be examined closely for perishing or cracking from age, regardless of tread depth, as tyres fitted to low-mileage vehicles often deteriorate through calendar ageing rather than wear. The exhaust system should be inspected for corrosion, particularly at joints and the rear silencer area where damp accumulates during inactivity. Brake caliper sliding pins and handbrake mechanism operation should be verified, as these are known to seize on vehicles that stand for prolonged periods. The 12V battery should be load-tested if possible, given its likely age, and the service history should be scrutinised to confirm that time-sensitive items such as brake fluid, coolant and timing belt or chain service (if applicable to this engine) have been attended to at appropriate intervals. Finally, a thorough inspection underneath the vehicle for oil leaks, coolant residue and corrosion to underbody structural components is recommended, particularly given the car's ten-year age, and verifying all previous advisories have been properly rectified through receipts or fresh MOT documentation will provide further confidence in the vehicle's continued roadworthiness.