2014 Skoda Rapid 1.2L Petrol · AV63 YBA

A pattern of recurring brake disc wear, exhaust corrosion, and tyre deterioration dominates the MOT record of this 2014 Skoda Rapid, with two failures also featuring. The most recent test on 22 January 2026 was a pass, but it carried advisories for a worn and pitted nearside front brake disc, plus cracking/perishing on the nearside front and offside rear tyres. Front brake disc pitting has now appeared on five separate occasions spanning 2022 to 2026, and oil misting on the nearside front shock absorber was flagged in both 2024 tests. A more serious failure occurred on 22 January 2024, when the offside front coil spring was found fractured, the offside headlamp failed on dipped beam, and the exhaust centre sleeve was insecure. An earlier dangerous failure on 14 January 2021 recorded a nearside front tyre with exposed ply or cords. The cumulative picture is of a vehicle whose braking surfaces, rubber components, suspension, and exhaust system have all demanded repeated advisory attention, with structural and safety failures interspersed. Mileage recorded across the history shows an annual rate of roughly 6,859 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age, though the gap between the 2021 and 2022 tests and the rapid accumulation of multiple advisories across consecutive years suggest the car has seen fairly consistent use rather than long periods of standing. Recorded mileage has risen from approximately 51,000 miles in 2021 to 82,306 miles at the most recent test, a steady accumulation that aligns with regular commuting-style use. This level of mileage is sufficient to bring consumable wear items such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension components into the advisory zone, and the history reflects exactly that kind of wear-related deterioration rather than any unusual or extreme usage pattern. For a prospective buyer, the brake system warrants the closest physical inspection. The nearside front disc was noted as pitted and scored at the most recent test and has carried the same advisory on five separate occasions, which means it is likely at or near minimum thickness now and will probably need replacement alongside fresh pads. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application, and check that the car stops squarely without pulling to either side. A binding front brake caliper was flagged in 2023, so feel for any dragging, uneven pulling, or a wheel that runs hotter than the opposite side after driving. The nearside rear tyre was noted as worn close to the legal limit and perished in 2025, so inspect all four tyres for cracking in the sidewalls and tread grooves, particularly on the rear pair, and budget for a full set if any show similar deterioration. Suspension and underside components also require close attention. A fractured offside front coil spring was recorded as a major failure in 2024, and the nearside front shock absorber has shown light oil misting in both 2024 tests. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking over bumps and on uneven surfaces, particularly from the front end, and check that the car settles levelly when parked. The exhaust system has been flagged for a corroded centre clamp and outer skin in 2021, a broken centre sleeve in 2024, and cracking advisories through to 2022, so inspect the full length of the exhaust for corrosion, loose mounting rubbers, and any rattling under acceleration. Finally, an advisory oil leak was recorded in 2025, so check the engine and undertray for fresh oil residue and ask when the oil was last changed, as a 12-year-old vehicle with this mileage will be due for careful fluid and filter maintenance regardless of what the MOT record alone reveals.