2014 Skoda Octavia 1.6L Diesel · GJ14 KXZ

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a pattern of reactive rather than preventative mechanical care. The most recent test in October 2025 at 74,774 miles resulted in a failure due to thin rear brake pads and a defective offside windscreen wiper. While the car passed immediately after these repairs, the recurring nature of brake component wear suggests that the previous owner only addressed mechanical faults once they reached the MOT failure threshold rather than during during annual service intervals. The mileage profile is consistent with a twelve-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 6,200 miles per year. Between October 2024 at 55,024 miles and October 2025 at 74,774 miles, the car covered nearly 20,000 miles in a single year, indicating a significant recent spike in usage compared to its historical average. This burst of activity explains the accelerated wear seen on consumables, such as the thinning brake pads and the bald front tyres noted in the earlier and recent tests. A buyer should closely inspect the front suspension, as the record shows persistent oil misting from both front shock absorbers dating back to 2022 at 41,700 miles. While misting is not an immediate failure, the persistence indicates degrading seals that will eventually lead to full leaks. The history of inner-edge tyre wear on the front in 2023 also suggests potential alignment issues or worn suspension bushes that should be verified. Given the frequent failures for thin brake pads, a physical inspection of the brake discs for scoring or overheating is necessary to ensure the rotors have not been damaged by allowing pads to run down to the metal backing.