2021 Skoda Karoq 1.5L Petrol · CV71 JWE

The 2021 Skoda Karoq presents a clean and stable maintenance trend as of its most recent MOT on 5 September 2025, when it passed with zero defects recorded at 22,807 miles. The prior test on 8 August 2024 also returned a pass with no defects at 18,968 miles. Two consecutive clean certificates indicate no recurring mechanical or structural faults have been flagged by DVSA testers over the last two examination cycles. This pattern suggests the vehicle has been maintained to a standard that consistently meets roadworthiness thresholds, with no worsening or emerging trend of defects. The mileage profile is notably low for a five-year-old vehicle. Between the August 2024 test and the September 2025 test, the odometer advanced by just 3,839 miles over thirteen months, giving an annualised rate of roughly 3,500 miles during that period. Across its full life, the recorded 22,807 miles equate to approximately 4,561 miles per year, well below the UK average. Such low annual accumulation raises the possibility of extended periods standing idle, which can cause flat-spotting of tyres, moisture accumulation in brake fluid and exhaust systems, and deterioration of rubber bushes and seals through lack of use rather than wear. The gap between the two recorded tests is also unusually long for a vehicle of this age, with no MOT entry between August 2024 and September 2025 despite the test being due annually, though the clean pass in September 2025 confirms compliance was ultimately met. Despite the clean MOT record, a buyer should still carry out a thorough physical inspection focused on components that low-mileage use can quietly degrade. Suspension bushes, ball joints, and coil springs should be checked for perishing and cracking, as infrequent use and static storage accelerate rubber deterioration. Brake discs and pads merit close examination for surface corrosion and binding calipers, particularly on the rear axle where parking brake mechanisms can seize if the vehicle has sat for extended periods. Tyre condition across all four wheels, including the spare, should be assessed for sidewall cracking and uneven wear consistent with infrequent rotation or prolonged standing. The exhaust system and DPF, if fitted, should be inspected for internal condensation damage given the likelihood of short-journey use. A road test under varied conditions remains essential. Listen for suspension knocks over rough surfaces, check for brake drag after moderate driving, and monitor cold-start exhaust emissions for signs of incomplete combustion. The Karoq's clean MOT history is reassuring, but low-mileage vehicles carry their own distinct risk profile that paperwork alone cannot fully reveal.