2021 Skoda Octavia SE L First ED TDI S-A 2.0L Diesel · LB51 RSB

The vehicle is currently roadworthy following a pass on January 14, 2026 at 21,388 miles. However, the maintenance trend shows a recent lapse in standards, evidenced by a failure just one day prior. While the 2024 and 2025 tests were entirely clean, the January 2026 failure indicates that critical safety-related components were neglected immediately before the most recent inspection. The mileage pattern is notably low for a five-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,278 miles per year. The car covered only 2,003 miles between the January 2024 and January 2025 tests. While low mileage generally suggests less wear on the engine and drivetrain, low-mileage vehicles often suffer from dry rot in rubber-based components or brake corrosion due to inactivity. The 6,962-mile gap between 2025 and 2026 suggests more infrequent use, which may correlate with the sudden degradation of the suspension hardware. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry. The January 2026 failure flagged an excessively worn nearside suspension arm bush and a worn offside bush. Although these were reportedly repaired to secure the subsequent pass, the buyer should verify that both arms were replaced rather than just the failing side, to ensure even handling. The previous failure on the offside tyre with exposed cords also suggests a lack of basic preventative checks by the previous owner. Further attention should be paid to the age and condition of all tyres and the state of the brake discs. Given the low mileage, the brakes may have developed surface rust or pitting if the vehicle has sat for long periods. Ensure the repairs made to the suspension did not leave any alignment issues, which would lead to premature tyre wear despite the low mileage.