2014 Skoda Superb 2.0L Diesel · KX14 PCY

With six MOT tests recorded between mid-2024 and mid-2026, four passes and two failures, this Superb presents a roadworthiness picture dominated by mechanical deterioration rather than any clean trajectory. The latest test on 4 June 2026 was a pass with no defects recorded, which provides a degree of reassurance, but the prior months reveal significant issues that cannot be ignored. The November 2025 failure saw dangerously thin rear brake pads on both sides and a serious fluid leak from the nearside rear shock absorber, while the earlier 2025 fail flagged perished ball joint dust covers on the front axle. The 2024 entry is particularly concerning, combining a missing front wheel fixing with worn front wishbone bushes on both sides, a split CV joint boot, and tyres worn close to the legal limit. The vehicle has therefore passed tests only when remedial work has been carried out immediately beforehand, and the underlying components, suspension linkages, brake pads, dampers, and drivetrain gaiters, have repeatedly reached a worn or failed state. Recorded mileage stands at 149,497 miles on a 2014 vehicle, equating to roughly 12,458 miles per year, which is high for the car's age and consistent with sustained heavy use, possibly motorway commuting or long-distance fleet operation. There are no extended gaps in the testing record to suggest long periods off the road, and the relatively short intervals between some entries, for example the two tests within a day in November 2025 and again in May 2025, indicate a pattern of presenting the car for test, failing, repairing, and re-testing. This usage profile points to accelerated wear on consumables and undercarriage components, and the failures correlate with that pattern rather than against it. Mileage of this magnitude on a twelve-year-old Skoda also raises legitimate questions about the condition of less frequently inspected items such as the clutch, dual-mass flywheel, timing chain, and turbocharger internals, none of which form part of the MOT assessment. A prospective buyer should treat the front suspension as the primary mechanical concern, given that both nearside and offside wishbone pins or bushes were recorded as excessively worn in late 2024, and the ball joint dust covers had already failed by mid-2025. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and pay particular attention to vague steering response, wandering at speed, or any clunk when turning the wheel at low speed. The CV joint boot failure on the nearside front driveshaft should have been rectified at the time, but it is worth inspecting the joint for grease loss, torn rubber, or fresh contamination around the inboard and outboard joints, as a contaminated CV joint can quickly fail completely. The rear shock absorber fluid leak flagged as dangerous in 2025 also warrants a check for uneven ride height at the rear, excessive bounce when pressing down on each rear corner, and any hissing or wet staining on the shock body itself. The braking system has been another pressure point, with both rear pads recorded as less than 1.5 mm thick at the November 2025 failure, a level at which further wear would compromise stopping distance and risk damage to the rear discs. On test, the rear calipers should be checked for binding by confirming the wheel rotates freely by hand when jacked and that the vehicle does not pull to one side under braking, while the pedal itself should feel firm and progressive without excessive travel or juddering. With high overall mileage and clear evidence of undercarriage wear, the underside of the vehicle warrants a thorough inspection for corrosion, particularly on subframe mounting points, brake lines, and the exhaust system, as MOT records only capture a binary pass or fail on structural integrity. A raised inspection by a technician before purchase would be prudent, focusing on the front suspension refresh quality, the state of the rear braking components, and any signs of fluid contamination from the leaking shock absorber that may have affected surrounding parts.