2020 Skoda Karoq SE Drive TSI 1.0L Petrol · MA70 EXB

The 2020 Skoda Karoq presents a generally stable mechanical profile, passing its most recent MOT on 2025-10-02 at 33,730 miles with only minor advisories. The maintenance trend appears consistent rather than deteriorating, though the recurrence of front tyre wear points to an ongoing alignment or suspension geometry issue. The tester flagged rear brake pads wearing thin at the last inspection, a routine consumable wear item that requires monitoring. No serious structural corrosion or major mechanical failures have surfaced across the recorded tests, indicating the vehicle has avoided catastrophic component failures. Covering roughly 5,622 miles annually over six years, this Karoq has seen exceptionally light use. The mileage accumulation between tests reveals a notable gap; the vehicle traveled 6,866 miles between September 2023 and September 2024, yet added 11,511 miles by October 2025. Despite this low mileage, the front tyres repeatedly wore to the legal limit on their edges. Failing twice on front tyre tread depth suggests basic upkeep was skipped or the vehicle tracks poorly, wearing the rubber prematurely. Prolonged standing can cause brake disc corrosion, yet the record shows the pads are wearing down, implying regular use but potentially aggressive or misaligned driving. A physical inspection must prioritise the front suspension and wheel alignment. The repeated advisories for front tyres worn on the edges, coupled with oil misting on both front shock absorbers noted in September 2023, strongly suggest a persistent misalignment or worn suspension bushes. The shock absorber oil misting did not result in a failure, but a buyer must check if the dampers have worsened or if the misting has progressed to a leak. Examine the inner and outer edges of the front tyres closely; edge wear typically indicates incorrect camber or toe settings, which also accelerates wear on suspension bushes and track rod ends. Inspect the rear brake discs and pads for scoring, as the advisory on pad thickness at 33,730 miles implies they are nearing replacement despite the low mileage, potentially due to corrosion from standing or a binding caliper. Verify the structural integrity of the subframes and floor pans for corrosion, a common issue on lightly used vehicles left standing in damp conditions. The rear brake wear at such a low mileage warrants checking the handbrake mechanism and rear calipers for sticking.