2017 Skoda Fabia 1.0L Petrol · EX67 CSU

A pattern of advisory items rather than outright failures has defined this Fabia's recent MOT record, with the latest test on 3 October 2025 again resulting in a pass but flagging two items worth attention. Across the last four tests, each has produced at least one advisory, covering suspension components, shock absorbers, wheel condition, tyres, and an active safety warning. While no test has resulted in a failure, the cumulative picture points to a vehicle with progressively emerging wear items rather than a wholly clean record. There is no evidence of structural corrosion, brake pipe issues, or emissions failures in the data, which is reassuring, but the advisory trend has been broadly stable rather than improving, with the most recent test adding concerns about wheel integrity and front tyre wear. With 80,065 miles recorded over nine years, this Fabia has covered an average of roughly 8,896 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical band for a car of its age and class. There are no significant gaps in the testing history between 2021 and 2025, indicating continuous road use rather than extended periods off the road, and the mileage increments between tests are consistent with regular driving. This kind of steady, moderate usage tends to keep consumables and seals working as intended, though the suspension and brake components have still been subjected to nearly 80,000 miles of urban and mixed road wear, which is reflected in the advisories. The rear wheel buckling flagged in the latest test warrants close physical inspection, as severely distorted wheels can cause vibration through the steering, uneven tyre wear, and compromised bead seating. Check both rear tyres for inner and outer shoulder wear and look for a hop or wobble when the wheels are rotated by hand. The nearside front shock absorber oil misting recorded in 2024 should be re-examined by looking for fresh dampness around the shaft seal and feeling for a rhythmic chatter through the body over undulating surfaces, as oil loss will eventually affect damping performance. The offside front lower arm rear bushing advisory from 2023 is a known wear point on Fabias of this generation, so on a test drive listen for clonking over speed humps and rough tarmac and have the bush physically rocked to assess any lateral play. The front assist malfunction lamp advisory from 2024 is also worth investigating before purchase, as it suggests an intermittent sensor or calibration issue with the radar or camera system, and a dealer-level diagnostic scan would confirm whether it has been resolved. General inspection should also cover the nearside rear wheel noted as slightly distorted in 2024, and all four tyres should be checked for age-related sidewall cracking given the vehicle's mileage. A thorough test drive over varied surfaces, paying particular attention to suspension noises, brake feel, and steering refinement, will help confirm whether the advisory items represent the early stages of normal wear or the beginning of more significant component degradation.