2016 Skoda Octavia 2.0L Diesel · FS66 CMS

The most recent MOT in September 2024 at 158,770 miles passed with only a single advisory—rear brake discs showing surface wear—but no major defects. This suggests the vehicle has been maintained adequately in the short term, though the history reveals a troubling pattern of recurring issues. Between June 2022 and June 2023, the car failed twice within days, each time due to a mix of critical tyre and lighting faults alongside deeper mechanical advisories, including corroded coil springs, leaking shock absorbers, and thinning brake pads. These failures were not isolated incidents but part of a broader trend: the June 2022 pass still carried advisories for the same suspension and brake components that later became failures. The fact that the September 2024 test cleared these issues implies they were addressed, but the repeated flagging of suspension corrosion and brake wear—particularly the near-simultaneous failures of tyres, lamps, and structural components—points to inconsistent maintenance rather than a single catastrophic event. The mileage accumulation of roughly 15,877 miles per year is high for a vehicle of this age, indicating either heavy use or prolonged periods of neglect between services. The gap between the June 2022 failures (at ~90,481 miles) and the next test in June 2023 (130,072 miles) covers just over a year but shows a 39,591-mile jump—suggesting the car was driven aggressively or left unattended for stretches. The absence of any MOT between June 2023 and September 2024 (a 13-month gap covering 28,698 miles) is unusual for a vehicle this age, especially given the history of repeated failures. Such gaps often correlate with deferred repairs, which may have allowed minor issues to compound into the advisories seen in 2024. A prospective buyer should prioritise an in-person inspection of the suspension components, particularly the front coil springs and shock absorbers, given the corrosion and oil leakage advisories from 2022. The rear brake discs have shown persistent surface wear, so checking for uneven thickness or excessive pitting is essential. Tyre condition remains a red flag: the repeated failures for near-legal tread depths and edge wear suggest aggressive driving or poor rotation practices. The lighting system also demands scrutiny, as the 2023 failures included multiple inoperative lamps, which could indicate wiring or connector issues. Finally, while the September 2024 test passed, the absence of a full service record raises questions about whether all advisories were fully rectified—especially the coil spring corrosion, which can compromise ride stability and safety over time.