2017 Skoda Octavia 1.6L Diesel · AF67 HVU

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a concerning trend of reactive repairs rather than preventative care. In the most recent test on 20 February 2026 at 213,278 miles, the car failed initially before passing. The tester identified an excessively worn nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint alongside front tyres reaching the legal limit. While the vehicle passed after rectification, the recurring nature of these faults suggests the owner only addresses mechanical issues when they trigger an MOT failure. The Octavia shows exceptionally high mileage figures, averaging approximately 23,700 miles per year over its nine-year life. Between February 2024 and February 2025, the car covered 29,445 miles in a single year, indicating heavy motorway use or consistent commercial application. This high usage rate places significant stress on the drivetrain, suspension, and braking. The gap of 31,341 miles between the 2025 and 2026 tests confirms this rapid accumulation, which often accelerates the wear of consumable components between annual inspection intervals. A buyer must inspect the front suspension assembly closely, as the anti-roll bar linkages and dust covers have been flagged for defects in consecutive years. The failure in February 2025 for perished dust covers followed by a ball joint failure in 2026 indicates the front suspension components are nearing the end of life. Furthermore, the record of thin rear brake pads and consistently low tyre tread suggests that the braking system and tyre management are neglected. You should check for uneven tyre wear which indicates alignment issues, as the record frequently notes tyres being worn on the edges.