2016 Skoda Octavia 1.6L Diesel · GC16 UTG

The 2026‑02‑19 MOT at 77,272 miles resulted in a failure, indicating the vehicle is presently not road‑worthy. The test recorded near‑side front tyre wear close to the legal limit, off‑side front tyre wear, near‑side front steering rack play, missing steering rack gaiter, and excessive binding of both rear service brakes. These faults mirror earlier failures in February 2023, March 2025 and March 2026, demonstrating a worsening rather than improving maintenance trend. Mileage has risen steadily from 29,173 miles in July 2019 to 77,272 miles in February 2026, averaging roughly 7,700 miles per year, which aligns with the typical usage for a ten‑year‑old OCTAVIA. No significant periods of stationary mileage are evident, and the incremental increase corresponds to normal annual usage. A buyer should therefore focus on the steering rack inner joint play and the condition of the steering rack gaiters, which have been noted as missing or ineffective since 2023, allowing dirt ingress that can accelerate wear. The rear service brakes exhibit excessive binding on both sides, a defect that recurred in 2023, 2024 and 2026, suggesting worn calipers, seized pistons or distorted discs that require immediate inspection. Tyre tread depth consistently approaches the legal minimum, indicating possible neglect of regular rotation or replacement, while the presence of perishing side‑wall cracks on rear tyres points to age‑related rubber deterioration that should be verified. Overall, the vehicle’s maintenance history shows a pattern of deferred corrective work, with recurring mechanical faults rather than routine consumable wear. Prospective purchasers must verify the integrity of the steering linkage, brake system components, and tyre condition, and confirm that any identified defects have been remedied before purchase.