2012 Skoda Roomster 1.2L Petrol · DU12 AHD

The Skoda Roomster holds a valid MOT certificate issued on 5 March 2026 at 80,018 miles, but the overall maintenance trend is one of gradual deterioration rather than steady upkeep. The most recent pass was not clean. The tester flagged slight play in both front anti-roll bar ball joints, a known wear point on this platform that directly affects steering precision and front suspension alignment. This same advisory first appeared in the 2026 failure at 17,863 miles, suggesting the component has been degrading across multiple tests without replacement. A clean pass in March 2025 at 79,231 miles briefly interrupted that pattern, yet the reappearance of the advisory in March 2026 indicates the underlying wear was never resolved. The mileage profile raises its own questions. At roughly 5,716 miles per year, the car falls well below the UK average of around 7,000 to 8,000 miles annually. The recorded figure of 17,863 miles in the 2026 failure entry is almost certainly a data-entry anomaly, since the vehicle was tested at 70,399 miles in March 2024 and 79,231 miles in March 2025. Ignoring that outlier, the odometer has climbed approximately 16,000 miles over the three-year span from March 2023 at 63,650 miles to March 2026 at 80,018 miles. That is a modest rate of use, but the car may have spent extended periods stationary, which can accelerate rubber-component perishing, brake corrosion, and tyre sidewall cracking in ways that mileage alone does not reveal. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and drivetrain, where the record shows persistent issues. The front anti-roll bar ball joints and the upper Macpherson strut top bushes have both been flagged for excessive play, so check for clunking over uneven surfaces and uneven tyre wear. The front outer constant velocity boot has been noted as split or severely deteriorated on two separate occasions, in 2024 and 2026, meaning the joint may have been operating with contaminated grease. Inspect the CV joint for clicking under full lock and look for grease splatter around the inner wheel arch. The parking brake was inoperative on one side and below efficiency requirements in the 2026 failure, so test the handbrake on a steep incline and examine the rear cables for seizure or corrosion, a common issue on vehicles that sit unused. Beyond the flagged items, pay close attention to structural corrosion around the rear subframe mounting points, sills, and inner wheel arches, as low-mileage cars that spend time stationary can develop surface rust that progresses unseen. The supplementary restraint system warning lamp was illuminated during the 2026 failure, so verify that the airbag warning light extinguishes after engine start and have the fault codes read to confirm whether the issue was cleared or remains active. Tyre condition and date codes deserve scrutiny; rubber older than six years can harden and crack regardless of remaining tread depth.