2012 Skoda Yeti 2.0L Diesel · FP62 RVM

The defining mechanical story of this Yeti is one of consistent roadworthiness over an extended testing history, set against a slowly developing pattern of brake and underbody wear. Across eight recorded tests spanning from 2017 to early 2026, the vehicle has never failed, including its 2026-02-16 examination where it passed with only a minor item recorded for a deteriorated anti-roll bar linkage ball joint dust cover on the nearside front. The earlier portion of the record is exceptionally clean, with four consecutive passes from 2017 through 2022 carrying no advisories at all. From 2023 onwards, however, a consistent cluster of brake disc wear advisories has appeared across all four corners, and the 2025 test added brake pad wear on both axles alongside a minor for a deteriorated nearside front outer drive shaft CV boot. The trend suggests components that are beginning to reach the latter part of their service life rather than any single acute fault, but the recurring nature of the brake disc scoring across multiple consecutive tests is a clear signal that the braking system should be the primary focus of any inspection. Mileage accumulation on this Yeti appears to be steady and broadly typical for its age, with 141,081 recorded miles over fourteen years equating to roughly 10,000 miles per year. There is, however, a notable gap in the testing record between March 2022 and the absence of a 2023 entry until February, which may simply reflect a late first test once the vehicle reached its three-year anniversary, followed by annual renewals thereafter. The gap between the 2022 test and the 2023 test is only around eleven months, and the 2024, 2025 and 2026 tests follow at roughly annual intervals, so the recent history is contiguous. Given that mileage has clearly been accumulating consistently across the recorded period, mechanical wear on suspension bushes, wheel bearings, exhaust hangers, drivetrain mountings and ancillary drive components is to be expected and should be evaluated accordingly, particularly given the high overall odometer reading relative to vehicle age. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a thorough brake system evaluation. The four-corner disc scoring advisories recorded in 2023 and 2024, combined with the thin pad advisory on both axles in 2025, indicate that pad and disc replacement is likely due or imminent. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping on light application, feel for brake pedal pulsation or judder under firm pressure which would suggest disc runout or uneven wear, and check that the vehicle pulls up squarely without pulling to one side which could indicate a binding caliper. Inspect the visible disc edges and pad material directly through the wheels, and budget for a full axle refresh including discs and pads if any are near the wear limit. The CV boot deterioration flagged on the nearside front drive shaft in 2025 is also a critical pre-purchase item; any grease loss around the inner or outer joint, combined with torn or split boot rubber visible from beneath the vehicle, would point to imminent joint replacement and possible transmission damage if left unchecked. With the vehicle being four-wheel drive capable depending on specification, any signs of CV joint noise on full-lock turns, clonking over bumps, or vibration under acceleration should be taken seriously. Finally, attention should turn to the suspension and underbody, given the minor anti-roll bar linkage dust cover deterioration recorded at the most recent test and the high overall mileage. On the road, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed humps and potholes, which would suggest worn anti-roll bar drop links, worn bushes, or failing coil springs. The Yeti is known for underbody corrosion around suspension components and subframe mounting points on higher mileage examples, so a careful inspection from beneath on a ramp or over a pit is strongly recommended, checking the rear trailing arms, exhaust hangers, and any visible structural members for surface rust or advanced corrosion. Steering should feel precise without excess play or vagueness around the straight-ahead, and the vehicle should track true without wander on a motorway cruise. Given the recent minor for the anti-roll bar dust cover and the pattern of brake wear, a thorough independent pre-purchase inspection would be a prudent investment before committing to this particular example.