2017 Skoda Kodiaq 2.0L Diesel · VU67 AAO

A pattern of clean MOT passes from 2022 through 2025 has been followed by a June 2026 test that, while still a pass, returned the first recorded advisories on this Kodiaq. Across five recorded tests there have been no failures at all, so the vehicle's roadworthiness record remains fundamentally solid, but the cluster of items raised at the latest examination suggests that certain consumables and rubber components are beginning to reach the back end of their service life. None of the advisories recorded are of an immediate safety concern, and the inclusion of a nail in the nearside front tyre alongside rear tyre perishing is consistent with a car that has covered meaningful mileage on its original rubber. For a prospective buyer, the picture is one of a generally compliant vehicle that is now entering the phase where routine wear-and-tear items are starting to be flagged rather than the earlier period of unblemished tests. Mileage accumulation of 72,870 miles over roughly nine years equates to around 8,000 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical range for a family SUV of this type and indicates regular rather than occasional use. The MOT history shows annual or biennial testing with no extended lay-up gaps, and the mileage progression is consistent with steady daily driving rather than long periods of inactivity or sudden high-mileage spikes. Mechanically, this kind of usage pattern tends to mean that the engine and drivetrain have been kept properly warm and lubricated through regular running, but the wear on items such as brake pads, tyres and suspension bushes will be proportionate to the miles covered rather than artificially low. The average annual mileage is not high enough to suggest that major components such as the timing chain or turbocharger are at the extreme of their expected life, but it is high enough that the rubber and friction items flagged at the latest test should be expected. For a practical pre-purchase inspection, the most relevant items to address are the tyres and the braking system. The advisories recorded at the 2026 test noted perishing on both rear tyres and a nail in the nearside front tyre, so a close visual check of the remaining tread depth across all four corners and inside the sidewalls is worthwhile, as perished tyres on a Kodiaq typically run in conjunction with ageing sidewalls that may not yet be illegal but are approaching the point where replacement is sensible. The nearside front brake pad advisory indicates pads are wearing thin, so a check of pad material thickness and disc condition on the front axle is warranted, together with an inspection of the caliper slide pins for free movement, as binding calipers are a known source of uneven pad wear on this model. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front wheels under light braking and watch for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel under firm application, both of which would point to a worn disc or seized caliper rather than simply ageing pads. Beyond the flagged items, the clean record on suspension, steering and exhaust components across all five tests is a positive indicator, but a physical inspection is still advisable given the mileage and age. With 72,000 miles covered, common wear points on the Kodiaq include the front lower suspension arms, anti-roll bar bushes and drop links, so it is worth asking for the vehicle to be raised to check for perished bushes, weeping shock absorbers or any play in the wheel bearings. On the road, listen for clonking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering, and pay attention to rear-end stability over undulating roads where worn coil springs or shock absorbers tend to show up as excessive float. The registration plate deterioration is a trivial cosmetic matter, but it is worth confirming that replacement plates are available, as the standard EU-style plates fitted to early Kodiaqs can discolour with age. Overall, the history presents a usable vehicle that has passed its tests consistently but is now beginning to show the kind of advisories that buyers should treat as a prompt to budget for tyres and front brake work in the near term.