2016 Skoda Yeti 2.0L Diesel · MH65 KXB

The vehicle was presented for its annual DVSA inspection on 8 April 2026 and achieved a pass with no advisories or defects recorded. This represents a notable recovery in the vehicle's roadworthiness profile, particularly when viewed against the cumulative trend over recent years. The earlier 2026 test on 2 February resulted in a failure driven by worn front suspension bushes and perished anti-roll bar linkage dust covers, but the absence of any items on the subsequent pass suggests that appropriate rectification work has been carried out. Comparatively, the 2024 and 2025 tests both carried advisories relating to rear suspension arm corrosion and front shock absorber oil misting, whereas the most recent test is entirely clean. Taken together, the maintenance trajectory appears to have stabilised following the recent repair intervention, and the vehicle has demonstrably met the statutory minimum standard at its latest assessment. The Yeti is a 2016 model now ten years of age, and the recorded odometer reading of 50,776 miles equates to an annual average of roughly 5,078 miles per year. This is significantly below the typical mileage expectation for a vehicle of this vintage and indicates either a pattern of light usage, extended periods of standing, or a combination of both. While low annual mileage reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox internals, it conversely accelerates degradation of rubber, seals, brake components and bodywork due to prolonged static exposure. The MOT history confirms reasonably consistent annual testing since 2021, with no obvious large jumps in recorded mileage that would suggest clock tampering or inconsistent usage. Despite the clean current test result, the defect and advisory pattern from earlier years warrants close physical inspection prior to purchase. The recurring advisories regarding front shock absorber oil misting, first noted in 2021 and repeated in 2025, suggest progressive deterioration of the damping units; on a test drive, listen for clonking over uneven surfaces, watch for excessive nose dive under braking, and observe whether the vehicle continues to oscillate after passing over bumps. The advisories relating to rear suspension arm corrosion warrant a thorough underbody examination, ideally with the vehicle raised, to confirm that corrosion has not progressed beyond the cosmetic stage identified previously, as suspension arm integrity is critical to safe handling. The earlier failure relating to a nearside front tyre bulge should prompt verification of the tyre age via the DOT date stamp and a careful inspection for sidewall cracking or perishing, particularly given the low-mileage usage pattern that can accelerate rubber degradation from age rather than wear. Additional age-related checks appropriate for this vehicle's profile include a thorough inspection of all tyres for perishing, cracking or uneven wear patterns caused by binding calipers from standing, which is common on low-mileage vehicles. The 12-volt battery should be load tested, as batteries typically require replacement every five to seven years regardless of mileage, and a unit of this age may be approaching end of service life. Brake discs should be examined for surface corrosion and pitting from lack of regular use, and the handbrake mechanism should be operated to confirm it has not seized from infrequent engagement. Service history verification is essential, with particular attention to time-based items such as brake fluid, coolant, transmission fluid and the timing belt or chain service interval, as calendar years rather than mileage govern many of these replacements on a low-mileage vehicle of this age.