2017 Skoda Yeti 1.2L Petrol · HS17 MPX

The mechanical fingerprint of this 2017 Skoda Yeti is defined almost entirely by its braking system, with the 2025 test flagging a cluster of advisories on both front and rear discs alongside thinning front pads, yet the most recent examination on 30 July 2026 returned a clean pass with no defects recorded at all. The intervening twelve months therefore represent a clear mechanical improvement, suggesting that the brake wear items noted previously were either addressed through component replacement or had not yet progressed to failure thresholds. The single failure on 24 July 2024, which was quickly followed by a pass the very next day, was caused by an exposed ply tyre on the nearside front and an inoperative windscreen washer, both of which fall into the category of routine consumable and maintenance items rather than structural deterioration. Notably absent from the entire five-test sequence are any advisories relating to suspension components, corrosion, structural integrity, exhaust emissions, or fluid leaks, which collectively points to a chassis and drivetrain that have remained fundamentally sound throughout the recorded testing period. With a recorded mileage of 72,660 miles spread across nine years of age, this Yeti is accumulating around 8,000 miles annually, a figure that sits comfortably within the expected envelope for a family-oriented crossover of this generation and indicates regular rather than occasional use. There are no unusual gaps in the MOT history, with annual tests consistently undertaken since at least 2023, which means the recorded mileage can be treated as reasonably continuous and reflective of genuine on-road activity rather than prolonged periods of standing. From a mechanical standpoint, this usage rate is sufficient to keep oil circulated, brake surfaces freed from corrosion, and drivetrain seals active, while not being so high as to imply rapid wear of major components such as the dual-clutch or manual gearbox, clutch assembly, or turbocharger. Routine service intervals at manufacturer-recommended mileage points remain the principal maintenance consideration, particularly for timing chain tension, diesel particulate filter condition (if applicable), and air conditioning compressor function, none of which have generated MOT-relevant advisories. For a prospective buyer, the brake components flagged in the 2025 advisory set warrant close physical inspection before purchase, as the pitted and scored condition of all three discs noted at that test will have continued to evolve over the subsequent twelve months of use. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squealing, or pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application, as scored discs will commonly produce a vibration or shudder felt through the steering wheel when the front brakes are loaded from higher speed. The nearside front brake disc in particular should be inspected for visible lipping at the outer edge and a rough texture when a fingertip is run across its surface, while the pads should be visually checked through the wheel spokes to confirm adequate friction material remains. Equally, a thorough examination of the four tyres is essential given the previous dangerous failure, with particular attention paid to tread depth across the full width, any bulges or cuts in the sidewalls, and confirmation that none are approaching the legal 1.6mm limit. Beyond the documented items, the test drive should include deliberate driving over uneven surfaces, broken tarmac, and speed humps to subject the suspension to loading, listening for any clonks, rattles, or knocking from the front strut assemblies, anti-roll bar links, or trailing arms, areas not flagged in the MOT history but entirely consistent with the accumulated mileage. Steering should remain precise and self-centring without pulling to either side under light acceleration or braking, and the clutch (or DSG gearbox, depending on transmission) should engage smoothly without slipping, shuddering, or producing a burning smell on inclines. A final under-bonnet check for any signs of oil misting around the cam cover or valve cover gasket, coolant residue around the radiator and expansion tank, and general condition of the auxiliary drive belt will round out the assessment, but the overall pattern of the MOT history indicates a mechanically tidy example whose principal near-term service requirement is straightforward brake refurbishment.