2014 Skoda Superb 2.0L Diesel · AP63 GSV

The most recent DVSA examination on 14 April 2026 resulted in a pass, though a single advisory was issued noting a cut on the offside front tyre that did not penetrate to the ply or cords. Looking at the broader pattern across the last five years, the maintenance trend is broadly stable but punctuated by two failures: a dangerous failure in April 2025 relating to lumps and structural separation on both rear inner tyres, and a major failure in February 2024 triggered by an inoperative engine management indicator lamp accompanied by unevenly worn rear tyres. These two failures were successfully remedied at immediate retests, and the subsequent passes in 2025 and 2026 have returned cleaner results, suggesting that the underlying issues have been addressed. The recurrence of brake pad and disc advisories across the 2021 to 2022 tests, combined with the tyre-related advisories in 2024 and the sidewall cut noted in 2026, points to a vehicle where consumable wear is being monitored and replaced as part of routine upkeep rather than neglected. With a recorded mileage of 64,722 miles over approximately twelve years, this SuperB has covered an average of around 5,400 miles per annum, which is considerably below the national average and indicates either light general use or extended periods of standing. Such low annual mileage has mechanical implications worth weighing carefully. While the engine, gearbox and drivetrain will have suffered less mechanical fatigue than a higher-mileage equivalent, prolonged standing can bring binding brake calipers, corrosion on brake discs producing a noticeable judder on first application, and premature ageing of rubber components. Tyres fitted to a low-mileage vehicle often suffer sidewall perishing and hardening due to age rather than tread wear, and the recent advisory regarding the cut on the offside front tyre serves as a reminder to inspect sidewalls thoroughly for cracking. Given the advisories relating to rear tyre wear being uneven and worn close to the legal limit as recently as 2024, and the dangerous rear tyre separation failure in 2025, any prospective purchase should include careful inspection of the rear axle geometry. Uneven rear tyre wear can stem from incorrect tracking, worn rear suspension bushes, or weakened coil springs, and a test drive should be conducted over varied surfaces listening for clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over bumps. On the road, pay close attention to braking consistency; if the vehicle pulls to one side under braking or the pedal feels spongy, this would indicate sticking calipers, a known concern on vehicles that have stood for long periods. The 2024 engine management lamp failure should also be investigated by requesting evidence of any diagnostic work undertaken, ensuring the fault was properly resolved and not simply cleared before the retest. Beyond the recorded defects, a vehicle of this age and low usage warrants several age-related checks regardless of the MOT outcome. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as batteries typically require replacement every five to six years and a flat battery is a common cause of non-starts in lightly used cars. Brake fluid should be changed on a calendar basis every two years regardless of mileage due to its hygroscopic nature, and the condition of the coolant and timing belt or chain service history should be verified through the service book, as the latter is particularly critical on the SuperB's TSI petrol units if applicable. Inspect all four tyres for manufacturing date codes on the sidewall, as tyres older than six years should be replaced irrespective of remaining tread depth. Finally, examine the underside and suspension components for standing corrosion, check for any fluid leaks from the engine or transmission, and ensure that all warning lamps extinguish correctly on ignition to confirm no dormant electronic faults remain.