Went to see about purchasing a 15 plate st180 I check the oil and it was black on the dipstick and when I wiped it onto some tissue it was a browny colour the car hasn't been serviced since Feb 2022 so I doubt it's had an oil change could it be due to not having a recent oil change or possible burning oil?

1 hour ago, fez008 said:

Went to see about purchasing a 15 plate st180 I check the oil and it was black on the dipstick and when I wiped it onto some tissue it was a browny colour the car hasn't been serviced since Feb 2022 so I doubt it's had an oil change could it be due to not having a recent oil change or possible burning oil?

Sounds entirely normal to me, 18 months since last oil change doesn't sound terminal depending on the mileage done. Are there any other symptoms that seem to be concerning you?

Burning oil doesn't show up in that way.  The brown colour in used engine oil is caused by carbon deposits (soot) from burning fuel in the cylinders that passes the piston rings.  This is known as blowby and is worse when the engine is cold.  As it warms up, the internal parts expand slightly to create a better seal.

The recommended service interval on these is an oil change every 12 months or 12,500 miles, so it is overdue.  However, it wouldn't concern me on this engine as it uses a dry belt, unlike the 1.0 EcoBoost.