2016 Skoda Fabia 1.2L Petrol · GL66 OOB

The vehicle remains roadworthy, though the maintenance trend shows a persistent and unresolved issue with the front suspension. The most recent test on June 4 2025 at 50,106 miles granted a pass despite the offside front shock absorber showing a light misting of oil. This defect has appeared in three consecutive annual tests since 2023, indicating that while the components have not yet reached the point of failure, they are gradually degrading. The mileage profile is notably low for a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 5,000 miles per year. There is a significant gap in usage between July 2022 at 20,628 miles and June 2023 at 29,860 miles, where the car covered nearly 9,000 miles in a year. While low mileage generally reduces wear on engine and drivetrain components, it often leads to the degradation of rubber materials, as evidenced by the advisory for a perishing offside rear tyre in the June 2024 test. A buyer must physically inspect the front shock absorbers to determine if the oil misting has progressed to a significant leak that will compromise damping performance. The failure in June 2023 at 29,857 miles for excessively worn lower suspension arm bushes suggests that repairs were performed then, but the buyer should check for any remaining play in the front suspension joints. Given the low usage and age, a thorough check for sidew cracking on tyres and perished seals is essential to ensure they have not become structurally unsound.