SKODA OCTAVIA SE L FIRST EDITION TSI2021 · 1.5L PETROL

The vehicle remains currently roadworthy, though the maintenance trend shows the early signs of mechanical component wear. In the most recent test in February 2026 at 47,645 miles, the tester identified light oil misting on both the nearside and offside front shock absorbers. This represents a departure from the February 2025 test which recorded no defects, indicating that the front suspension is beginning to age despite the mileage. The mileage pattern is consistent with a five-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 9,500 miles per annum. Between February 2024 at 27,997 miles and February 2025 at 36,959 miles, the car covered roughly 9,000 miles, followed by another 10,686 miles leading to the 2026 test. This steady accumulation suggests regular use rather than long periods of standing, which often leads to seized seals or accelerated corrosion. A buyer should perform a close inspection of the front suspension to determine if the misting on the shock absorbers is a minor surface leak or a precursor to total seal failure. Given the 2024 advisory regarding front tyres being worn to the edge and near the legal limit, it is necessary to check for uneven wear patterns that might indicate alignment or camber issues. While the current history is relatively clean, the transition from a clear record to suspension advisories suggests the front end assembly will require attention in the near future.