2012 Skoda Fabia 1.2L Petrol · DU12 AHJ

The 2012 Skoda Fabia presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 4 February 2026 at 79,014 miles passed, but only after a failure on the same day at 79,004 miles. That failure flagged a dangerously degraded nearside rear tyre with exposed ply or cords, both front tyres worn to 2.3mm on their edges, and an excessively worn offside front suspension arm pin or bush. The nearside front suspension arm bush was also worn, though not yet at the point of excessive movement. These were rectified before the pass, yet the pattern suggests a period of neglected basic upkeep immediately prior to the February 2026 test. The overall trend is not clearly improving. Suspension wear and tyre degradation have recurred across multiple years, and the most recent failure indicates that consumable and safety-critical components were allowed to deteriorate to a point requiring intervention. The mileage profile is notably low for a 14-year-old vehicle. At 79,014 miles, the annual average sits at roughly 5,644 miles per year. The progression from 53,135 miles in February 2023 to 61,547 miles in February 2024 shows 8,412 miles added in twelve months, then 8,270 miles from February 2024 to February 2025 at 69,817 miles, before a jump of 9,197 miles between February 2025 and February 2026. The final interval is the largest single-year increase in the record, which may indicate a change in ownership or usage pattern. Despite the low overall mileage, the vehicle has not been spared mechanical wear, suggesting that age-related deterioration and inconsistent maintenance have played a greater role than mileage alone. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension. The offside front suspension arm pin or bush was excessively worn in February 2026, and the nearside equivalent was also flagged as worn. Repeated suspension advisories across the history point to a component that may need ongoing monitoring or replacement. The condition of the front tyres, both worn to 2.3mm and showing edge wear in the most recent failure, raises a question about wheel alignment. Persistent edge wear on front tyres is a classic indicator of misaligned toe settings or worn steering geometry, and this should be checked with a four-wheel alignment gauge before purchase. The exhaust system was noted as corroded in the February 2025 test at 69,817 miles, and the nearside rear tyre showed cracking or perishing at the same test. By February 2026, the nearside rear tyre had deteriorated to the point of exposed cords, a serious structural failure in the tyre casing. A buyer should inspect the full exhaust for corrosion, particularly at joints and the rear box, and examine all four tyres for age-related cracking, perishing, and uneven wear patterns. The repeated registration plate lamp advisories, while minor, suggest electrical or bulb seating issues that are being addressed only at test time rather than proactively.