2018 Skoda Superb 2.0L Diesel · FE18 SWZ

A pattern of recurring tyre wear advisories across multiple test cycles forms the dominant mechanical theme in this Superb's MOT history, with the most recent test on 8 December 2025 again flagging front tyres worn close to the legal limit on both nearside and offside positions, alongside an offside rear inner edge wear advisory. Front edge wear was previously noted on both front tyres in June 2024, and an inner shoulder advisory appeared on the nearside rear in December 2024, indicating persistent and recurring wear characteristics across at least three consecutive tests. The vehicle has also accumulated brake-related advisories at a steady cadence, including thinning front pads in December 2024 and pitted rear brake discs in June 2024, with an earlier 2021 advisory noting brake pads at eighty percent worn. A single failure is recorded on 29 September 2022 for serious fluid leaks from both rear shock absorbers, classified as major defects, though the vehicle subsequently passed retests on the same date and recorded clean outcomes through 2023 and into the more recent advisory-laden tests. The recorded mileage of 122,113 miles across eight years equates to an average annual accumulation of roughly 15,264 miles, which sits well above the typical mileage envelope for a vehicle of this age and points to consistent high-rate usage rather than extended periods off the road. The testing cadence remains reasonably regular at roughly annual intervals, with a notable cluster in late 2022 showing two entries on the same day for failure and retest, but no multi-year gaps that would suggest significant lay-up. This level of sustained annual mileage places elevated demand on the consumables already flagged in the record, including the braking system, tyres, and suspension components, and means that any items previously noted as wearing thin or showing edge wear are likely to have reached or passed the point of replacement by the time of inspection. For a prospective buyer, the recurring front tyre edge wear pattern warrants particular attention during a physical inspection and test drive, as this can indicate misalignment, worn suspension bushes, or compromised strut top mounts that have not yet escalated to MOT failure but are clearly producing uneven contact patch loading. On the road, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed bumps, and feel for vagueness in steering response or tracking pull that would suggest geometry is not holding within tolerance. The rear shock absorber fluid leak failure from 2022 indicates the replacement units fitted at that time should now have covered substantial distance, so check for any signs of weeping around the rear damper bodies, and on the test drive pay attention to any residual bounce, wallowing, or unsettled behaviour over undulating surfaces that could suggest the rear dampers are beginning to lose effectiveness. The brake system requires direct measurement of pad material remaining and disc thickness rather than reliance on visual estimation alone, given the thin pad advisory from December 2024 and the pitted rear disc note from June 2024. On the test drive, apply firm braking from speed and listen for any grinding, vibration through the pedal, or judder that would suggest the rear discs have deteriorated beyond the advisory threshold or that the front pads have finally reached the backing plate. Given the high annual mileage, a thorough inspection of all brake hydraulic lines, flexible hoses, and the handbrake mechanism is advisable, as these components suffer accelerated wear under heavy use. Additionally, request evidence of the rear shock absorber replacement carried out after the 2022 failure, as confirming the quality and specification of those units will be central to assessing the long-term condition of the suspension system on this high-mileage example.