2002 Skoda Fabia 1.9L Diesel · N18 SDE

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, having passed its most recent MOT in February 2026 at 198,612 miles with no recorded defects. This represents an improving trend compared to the previous year, where multiple mechanical and wear issues were identified. While the 2026 test was clean, the history from the preceding twenty-four months suggests that the previous owner only addressed faults once they reached failure thresholds rather than performing preventative maintenance. At 198,612 miles, this 24-year-old Skoda has averaged approximately 8,275 miles per year, which is consistent with typical UK usage for its age. The mileage data shows consistent use, with roughly 8,300 miles covered between March 2025 and February 2026, and approximately 1,600 miles between March 2024 and March 2025. This regularity suggests the vehicle is used regularly, though the high cumulative mileage places significant stress on rubber components and braking hardware. A buyer must conduct a close physical inspection of the front suspension, as the record shows recurring issues here. The offside front coil spring was flagged as corroded in 2024 and 2025, while suspension arm ball joints and track rod ends caused a failure in early 2023. You should check for signs of further structural corrosion on the springs and play in the steering geometry. The braking system also shows a history of neglected maintenance, with the 2025 test noting thin pads and pitted, scored inner brake discs. The history also indicates a pattern of allowing tyres to reach legal limits, with multiple advisories in 2023 and 2024 regarding uneven wear on the edges. This often signals alignment issues or worn shock absorbers, as the nearside rear shock absorber was flagged for reduced damping in 2023. These should be inspected for oil leaks or excessive bounce. Given the age and mileage of the vehicle, the integrity of the chassis and exhaust mounting points remains a priority to ensure that rust has not progressed beyond the surface corrosion noted in previous tests.