2020 Skoda Octavia SE Technology TSI 1.5L Petrol · BV70 XFS

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 21 April 2026 at 29,775 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. That pass came immediately after a failure on the same day at 29,774 miles, where the tester flagged an inoperative engine MIL and perished front lower arm rear bushes on both sides. The MIL defect was rectified between the two tests, yet the suspension bush advisories carried over into the pass, indicating a partial repair rather than a thorough front-end overhaul. Prior to this, the record was entirely clean across three consecutive passes in September 2023, May 2024, and May 2025, suggesting the car was well maintained until very recently. The mileage profile is notably low for a 2020 vehicle, averaging roughly 4,962 miles per year over six years. The jump from 25,927 miles in May 2025 to 29,775 miles by April 2026 represents 3,848 miles in under twelve months, a modest uptick but still well within normal use. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer record, and the annual test pattern has been consistent, with the only deviation being the retest on the same day in April 2026. The low overall mileage implies limited wear on consumables, but prolonged periods of light use can accelerate rubber deterioration, which aligns with the perished suspension bushes now appearing. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and engine management systems. The perished nearside and offside front lower arm rear bushes were flagged as advisories rather than outright failures, but degraded rubber at this mileage on a six-year-old car raises questions about how frequently the vehicle was driven and whether it sat stationary for extended periods. Have the bushes been replaced since the April 2026 test, or are the originals still in place? Check for uneven tyre wear, clunking over speed bumps, and any play in the front wheel hubs. The inoperative engine MIL from the failed test also warrants scrutiny. Confirm the fault was properly diagnosed and repaired rather than simply having the bulb or circuit bypassed. A diagnostic scan should reveal stored or pending fault codes, particularly around the emissions or ignition systems. Given the otherwise clean history, this car appears fundamentally sound, but the recent defects suggest deferred attention that a buyer should verify has been fully resolved before purchase.