Winner of Auto Trader’s ‘most useful’ owner review competition

Our competition giving away £1000 to each of the 10 ‘most useful’ reviews submitted to Auto Trader, came to a close last month. If you missed out, don’t worry, we’re currently running a brand new owner reviews competition giving away £500 to one random reviewer every day until the 31st March

It was tough whittling down all the entries we received but in the end Auto Trader’s editorial team worked with an extended panel of judges to decide which reviews were the most original, the most well written, and ultimately the most honest and useful reviews.

The overall winner was Michael B from Worcestershire for his review of his Ford S Max 2006. Like all of our 10 winners Michael won £1000 for his efforts and took his wife out for a nice dinner with the cash. As part of his prize, Michael is also due to join us for a day as a Auto Trader journalist very soon!

Check out Michael’s review of his 5-door automatic Ford S-MAX 2.0 TDCi Zetec, entitled Life with the big boy:

“We’ve kept this car for longer than any other, which says something. In the past we always had large 4×4’s but though we still need the room for dogs, grandchildren, guests etc, we no longer need the capability and expense of an off-roader. Spending much of our time abroad, we started looking at large estate cars capable of covering long distances with ease, economically. During our research we came across a host of rave press reviews for the then recently introduced S-Max and my wife persuaded me to take a test drive. The rest is history, as they say.

Expecting lumbering handling, I was amazed. With its smallish steering wheel, well laid out instruments, sports seating and infinitely variable driving position, it felt like a sports saloon, not an MPV. Its smooth ride and near silence made it a superb tourer. The specification we chose added to this long distance ability with automatic transmission, cruise control, excellent sound system, climate and cooling privacy glass.

The high seating position gives the driver maximum visibility and is perfect. The individual climate controls and adjustable seats front and rear, together with countless cubby holes, underfloor boxes and door pockets for gear stowage, make journeys a pleasure for passengers. We have never had so many complements paid a car by passengers, as the S-Max and not all of our passengers are human. Our two largish dogs love the size of the enormous rear load space and can’t wait to go for a ride in it!

Now three years old, apart from minor trim breakages (typically Ford) the S-Max has given no problems. At around 40 mpg, mostly in the hands of my wife for shopping and dog walking runs, it’s not bad for a large, heavy automatic. After 45000 miles the consumption is improving and it needs no oil between services. Tyre wear is a little high (we are now on the third set of front tyres) but this may in part be attributable to the twisty and abrasive roads where we live.

Dislikes? The lack of a spare wheel, though the Ford Assistance service served me well with a recent blow-out on a French motorway. Otherwise I can’t think of a single thing that bugs me. Perhaps more important than my feelings are my wife’s; she loves it.”

(Review date: 3rd December ’10)

Write a review of your car today to enter our brand new owner reviews competition giving away £500 to one random reviewer every day until the 31st March.