2010 Skoda Octavia 1.9L Diesel · KV10 LKM

The 2010 Skoda Octavia passed its most recent MOT on 7 February 2026 at 90,487 miles, and the overall maintenance trend is stable but showing age-related deterioration rather than active neglect. The tester flagged a slight engine bay oil leak, corroded front brake discs on both sides, and corrosion on both rear suspension arms, all noted as not seriously weakened. These are typical of a sixteen-year-old vehicle that has covered low mileage but has spent time standing or in damp conditions. The presence of engine covers and under-trays prevented a full inspection, which limits confidence in the condition of hidden components such as subframe mounting points, brake pipe runs, and structural sills. The mileage progression tells a clear story of light use with a notable gap. Between 22 October 2022 at 71,205 miles and 19 December 2023 at 77,957 miles, the car added 6,752 miles in just over twelve months. Then from December 2023 to 7 February 2026, it covered only 12,530 miles across more than two years, averaging roughly 5,400 miles annually in that period. The annualised figure of around 5,655 miles over the vehicle's life is well below the UK average, and the slowdown in recent years suggests the car may have been parked for extended stretches. Prolonged standing accelerates corrosion on brake components, suspension bushes, and exposed metalwork, which aligns with the corrosion advisories now appearing on the record. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the rear suspension arms and their associated bushes and ball joints, given the repeated corrosion advisories on both sides in 2025 and 2026. Surface corrosion noted as not seriously weakened at the last test can progress quickly on older vehicles, particularly if the protective coatings have been compromised by road salt or standing water. The front brake discs were flagged as corroded, worn, pitted, or scored in February 2026, so expect to measure disc thickness and check for lipping or uneven wear. The slight oil leak in the engine bay also warrants investigation, as it could originate from camshaft cover gaskets, oil cooler seals, or the power steering reservoir area, all common on this platform. The light misting on the nearside front shock absorber appeared in both 2022 and 2024 but was absent from the 2025 and 2026 records, suggesting either a repair or that the misting was not severe enough to warrant re-flagging. Still, have the damping checked on a ramp, along with the offside front unit and both rear absorbers. The reduced nearside rear stop lamp intensity noted in December 2023 was not repeated, so it was likely a bulb or connection issue that has since been addressed. Given the under-trays blocking inspection at the last test, insist on a full underbody examination, paying close attention to the inner sills, subframe rear mounting points, and the condition of the exhaust system, where corrosion often develops on vehicles of this age and use pattern.