2018 Skoda Octavia 1.6L Diesel · DF67 YPH

The defining story across the recorded MOT history is a consistent record of roadworthiness, with no outright test failures other than a single headlamp aim issue recorded on 2021-06-07 alongside four advisories, and no retest failures appearing subsequently. Every other entry from 2021 onwards shows a pass, and the most recent test on 2026-06-09 was also a pass, although it attracted five advisories rather than the clean sheets recorded in 2022, 2023 and 2025. That step up in advisory count at the latest test is the main cause for closer inspection, because the items flagged involve the braking system at both rear corners, the front brake discs, an offside rear tyre, and an oil level sitting on minimum. Taken as a whole the trend is one of stable pass results with a recent cluster of advisory items that hint at age-related wear on consumables rather than any structural or safety-critical deterioration, but the volume of advisories in one test should not be dismissed outright. Mileage accumulation is broadly proportional to the vehicle's age, with 64,662 miles recorded over roughly eight years of use, equating to an annual figure of approximately 8,083 miles, which is in line with typical commuter or mixed-use mileage for a 2018 Skoda Octavia. The MOT record shows tests clustered in June of 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026, with an earlier pass in February 2021, indicating the vehicle has been used consistently year on year with no multi-year lay-up that would typically invite corrosion on the underside or battery issues. There are no sudden mileage jumps between recorded tests, and the absence of any recorded odometer readings in the dataset means this is inferred from usage continuity rather than directly verified. From a mechanical standpoint this pattern suggests regular running with predictable wear on friction materials, tyres and suspension components rather than the deep-seated corrosion risk associated with prolonged standing. For a prospective buyer, the rear brake binding advisories from the latest test are a priority point, as the offside rear and nearside rear service brakes were both noted as binding but not excessively at the time of test. This commonly points to seized slider pins, guide corrosion, or a sticking caliper piston on the rear calipers, which can manifest as a pulling sensation under braking, uneven pad wear visible on inspection of the inner and outer pad faces, a hot-smelling rear wheel after driving, or a brake that fails to release cleanly. A test drive should include a series of light to moderate stops with attention to any judder through the pedal or steering, and a visual check of the rear discs for lipping and pad material for uneven deposition across the friction surface. The front brake disc advisory regarding wear, pitting or scoring is consistent with the mileage covered, and on inspection the buyer should look for a pronounced outer lip on the disc edge, a grooved or rusted friction surface, and any brake shudder felt through the steering wheel at higher pedal effort, which would indicate the discs are nearing their minimum thickness and warrant replacement alongside new pads. The offside rear tyre advisory for slight damage, cracking or perishing, combined with the earlier rear tyre cut advisory from February 2021 on the same axle area, suggests that the rear tyres on this vehicle have been a recurring observation. The buyer should examine the sidewalls closely for perishing cracks, bulges or cuts, check the tread depth across the full width rather than just the central wear band, and confirm that the tyres fitted are of matching brand, size and age on each axle. The oil level advisory noting minimum on the dipstick warrants a cold start visual of the engine bay for any signs of fresh leaks around the sump plug, cam chain cover and oil filter housing, and a check of the coolant and brake fluid levels while in the bay. Finally, although the 2021 advisories on front shock absorbers showing light oil misting and limited damping effect did not reappear in subsequent tests, it is worth pushing firmly down on each front corner with the vehicle stationary to feel for any knocking, excessive bounce, or uneven rebound, as any deterioration in the front damping would compromise ride quality and tyre contact over uneven surfaces.