2012 Skoda Fabia 1.2L Petrol · FR12 ANF

The 2026‑07‑07 MOT at 116,665 miles passed, confirming the Skoda Fabia is presently roadworthy, but the immediate prior 2026‑07‑06 failure reveals ongoing issues. The maintenance trend remains unchanged, with recurring suspension wear, brake binding, tyre degradation and oil leaks persisting despite the recent pass. The vehicle is 14 years old with 116,665 recorded miles, averaging about 8,300 miles per year, which aligns with typical usage for its age. Mileage rose from 71,314 in 2019 to 116,665 in 2026, a gain of 45,351 miles over seven years, and the jump of 9,297 miles between the 2024 and 2025 tests indicates a period of increased use. A buyer should focus on the suspension, where rear shock absorber corrosion, de‑bonded wishbone arm bushes and worn suspension arm pins have been noted repeatedly, suggesting potential loss of damping and alignment stability. The front service brakes show binding and fluctuating behaviour, and the parking brake only just meets requirements, so functional testing of brake components and the parking mechanism is essential. Inspection must also cover the exhaust, which displayed a major leak and a corroded back box, and the tyres, which have been worn close to the legal limit, suffered a nail and exhibit edge wear and cracking. Persistent oil leakage and marginal parking brake performance should be verified, along with any previous repairs to ensure they were executed to a durable standard.