2013 Ford S-MAX 2.0L Diesel · YR63 YMJ

The 2013 Ford S-MAX presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 5 April 2024 at 93,316 miles passed, but only after a failure two days prior on 3 April 2024 at 93,315 miles for an SRS warning lamp and a split offside front CV boot. The trend is worsening. Between the clean pass in October 2022 and the 2024 tests, multiple suspension and structural advisories have accumulated rapidly. Both rear lower arm bushes, both rear track control arm bushes, and both front track rod end gaiters were flagged as perishing in the 2024 tests. The front anti-roll bar and both rear coil springs were noted as corroded but not seriously weakened. The tester also flagged a persistent engine oil leak across both 2024 tests, though deemed not excessive. The SRS fault and insecure back box mounting from the 2024 failure were rectified before the pass, but the underlying pattern suggests deferred attention to deterioration. The mileage progression is broadly consistent with roughly 7,000 to 8,000 miles per year, which is typical for a thirteen-year-old vehicle. From 85,432 miles in September 2021, the car reached 89,980 miles by October 2022, adding around 4,500 miles in just over a year. It then climbed to 93,316 miles by April 2024, a further 3,300 miles over roughly eighteen months. There are no alarming gaps or sudden jumps in the recorded data, but the concentration of new advisories in the last two years indicates accelerated wear or neglect during that period. The 2022 test at 90,029 miles recorded zero defects, making the subsequent cluster of suspension and corrosion issues more notable. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front and rear suspension bushes, coil springs, and anti-roll bar links, as these components have shown progressive deterioration. The rear coil spring corrosion warrants close scrutiny for any cracking or fracture risk, particularly if the vehicle has been used on salted roads or in damp climates. The persistent engine oil leak, though currently minor, should be traced to its source, whether that is a failing rocker cover gasket, oil filter housing seal, or crankshaft oil seal. The SRS warning lamp history demands a diagnostic scan to confirm the airbag system is fully operational and no intermittent faults remain. Tyre wear patterns, particularly the repeated advisories on inner and outer edges, suggest alignment or suspension geometry issues that may still be present. Finally, check the exhaust back box mounting and the offside front CV boot for fresh splits or grease loss, as both were recently flagged.