2004 Skoda Fabia 1.2L Petrol · AV54 CWC

The most recent DVSA test outcome dated 9 October 2025 records a PASS, though this should be interpreted with care because the same date also shows a FAILED entry with a PRS defect for the Engine Malfunction Indicator Lamp being inoperative or showing a malfunction. The combination indicates that the MIL issue was rectified at the test centre and the vehicle subsequently passed, but the underlying engine management fault that triggered the warning lamp has not been documented as resolved. The 2025 MOT also carries an advisory noting that both front lower wing sections are rusty, a recurring bodywork corrosion concern that aligns with the vehicle's age. Reviewing the broader four-year pattern, the trend is genuinely worsening: the 2022 test recorded a fractured coil spring alongside the MIL fault, the 2023 test added front position lamp failure, parking brake inefficiency, and rear brake imbalance, the 2024 test again flagged the MIL plus a registration plate lamp issue, and the 2025 test continues the MIL recurrence. The accumulating defect list across braking, suspension, lighting, and engine management systems indicates a vehicle whose maintenance attention has been reactive rather than proactive, and the recurring powertrain warning lamp is particularly concerning. The recorded mileage of 134,664 miles over 22 years equates to roughly 6,121 miles annually, which sits within typical parameters for a vehicle of this vintage and suggests neither excessive motorway use nor prolonged periods of standing. The MOT records show annual testing without any obvious mileage gaps or sudden accumulation spikes, indicating steady regular use that would generally be considered beneficial for keeping seals, brakes, and the drivetrain active. However, at this odometer reading the engine, transmission, and clutch components are well into their second half of expected service life, and wear-related items such as timing belt replacement intervals, suspension bushes, and exhaust mounting points will be highly relevant. Routine consumables including brake discs, pads, and tyres are almost certainly on their third or fourth set, meaning wear progression on those components should be assumed even where not flagged. The persistent Engine MIL defect across the 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 MOT entries is the single most important issue to investigate before purchase. This warning lamp covers a broad range of emissions, sensor, and engine management faults including lambda sensor failure, catalytic converter degradation, ignition coil or spark plug issues, intake air leaks, or evaporative system faults. On a test drive, listen for irregular idle, misfire hesitancy under acceleration, rough cold starting, or any hesitation or surging at steady throttle, and request that the seller provide diagnostic trouble codes from a recent OBD scan rather than simply confirming the lamp has been extinguished. A recurring MIL on a 1.4 or 1.2 petrol Fabia of this era frequently relates to aging sensors and coil packs, but unresolved catalytic converter inefficiency will also illuminate the lamp and would represent a far more costly rectification. Given that the lamp has appeared repeatedly, establish whether any substantive repair work has actually been carried out or whether the lamp has merely been reset between tests. The chassis and suspension advisories warrant physical inspection on a raised ramp if possible. The 2022 fractured nearside front coil spring failure indicates that the remaining front coil spring, its offside counterpart, and the rear axle springs are all candidates for replacement due to age-related fatigue, particularly given the vehicle's lifespan. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, wishbone bushes, or top mount bearings. Inspect the front wings closely for the rust advisory already recorded, as corroded structural panels near the suspension mountings can undermine future MOT outcomes and represent the early stages of bodywork deterioration that may progress quickly. Also examine the rear brake assembly, since imbalance was recorded in 2023, which may indicate corroded or seized caliper slides, worn handbrake mechanism, or degraded flexible hydraulic hoses. Verify tyre sidewalls for age-related perishing cracking typical of rubber older than five years, check the 12V battery for holding charge, and confirm that brake fluid and coolant have been changed within the last two years regardless of mileage, as calendar-based fluid degradation is a common oversight on older vehicles and can lead to internal corrosion and braking performance issues.