2012 Skoda Fabia 1.2L Petrol · FD12 EXJ

The Skoda’s MOT expired in June 2025 and the maintenance trend has deteriorated sharply over the last three test cycles. The June 2025 retest at 81,841 miles passed only after an offside front lower suspension arm bush was replaced to cure an excessive wear failure, yet the tester still recorded advisories for a severely deteriorated nearside front CV boot, slight steering rack free play, a worn nearside lower arm bush, binding nearside rear brakes, both front tyres at the legal limit, an oil leak and a cracked offside rear tyre. This cluster of chassis and braking faults marks a clear escalation from the clean bills of health seen up to 2018. Annual mileage has hovered consistently around 5,500 to 6,500 miles since 2015, confirming the low 81,841 total is genuine rather than the result of clocking or long lay-ups. The test intervals are regular, with no suspicious gaps, and the jump from 71,479 miles in July 2023 to 81,841 miles in June 2025 aligns perfectly with the established usage pattern. Low mileage has not protected the rubber and suspension components; age and infrequent cycling appear to have accelerated perishing of the CV boots, suspension bushes and brake calipers. A buyer must inspect the nearside front driveshaft boot closely, as it has been flagged as split or severely deteriorated at the last three consecutive tests, risking imminent joint failure. The steering rack free play and worn lower arm bushes point to vague handling and accelerated tyre wear, while the recurring rear brake binding — noted in 2023, 2024 and 2025 — suggests seized caliper sliders or a handbrake mechanism fault that previous retests have merely masked. The persistent oil leak, present since 2019, needs source identification to rule out a main seal or sump gasket issue. Finally, the windscreen stone chip in the driver’s vision zone and the perished offside rear tyre require immediate rectification before any road use.