2016 Skoda Octavia 2.0L Diesel · MH65 OBD

At just under 130,000 recorded miles across ten years, this Octavia has accumulated substantially more wear than typical examples of its age, and the MOT record reflects a vehicle working hard on routine consumables. The most recent test on 22 June 2026 resulted in a pass, but it carried an advisory for nearside front tyre wear close to the legal limit on the edge. This advisory is now recurring, having appeared identically at the July 2025 test, while a previous nearside front edge wear advisory was also recorded in February 2021. The pattern suggests consistent geometry or suspension behaviour on that corner pulling the tyre across its shoulder, a symptom that warrants proper investigation rather than simply fitting another tyre. The 2023 test was the most heavily advisory-laden, flagging a slight engine oil leak, light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, a worn offside front lower suspension arm rear bush, a nail in the offside rear tyre, and a child seat restricting adult belt inspection. A single failure occurred in November 2022 for an inoperative nearside front position lamp, a straightforward electrical rectification carried out at the same test pass recorded later the same day. The annual mileage of roughly 12,977 miles is considerably above the average for a ten-year-old vehicle, meaning braking components, clutches, suspension joints, drivetrain mounts and exhaust fittings have all been subjected to elevated duty cycles. The MOT history is otherwise contiguous, with no extended gaps in testing that would suggest a long period off the road, which is positive for identifying gradual wear patterns but also confirms the car has been in regular, hard use. The mileage progression between tests is consistent and broadly linear, with no sudden jumps or anomalies to suggest clocking or extended downtime. High-mileage diesel and petrol Octavias of this era are well known for tolerating heavy use mechanically, but the recorded advisories align with components that simply wear through service life rather than any inherent defect. For a prospective buyer, the nearside front tyre wear pattern should be investigated on a test drive. Feel for pulling to the left under braking or steady cruising, and listen for any knocking from the front suspension over broken surfaces, which could indicate that the wear is being caused by a perished bush, weak top mount, or failing wishbone. The offside front lower suspension arm rear bush advisory from late 2023 is a known wear point on the Mk3 Octavia platform, and although it was within tolerance at the time, a physical inspection with the wheel lifted is advisable to confirm it has not deteriorated further in the intervening 30,000 miles. Listen for clonking over speed humps and check for uneven tyre wear across the rear axle as well, since rear bush failures can present as vague instability. The slight engine oil leak noted in 2023 and the misting offside front shock absorber are also worth a closer look. A clean under-bonnet inspection will reveal whether the leak has progressed into a steady drip from the sump, cam chain area, or rocker cover, and a check of the shock absorber body for fresh oil film will confirm whether the misting has developed into a weeping seal. On the road, pay particular attention to brake feel, as high annual mileage typically correlates with worn discs and pads; any judder through the pedal, vibration through the steering wheel under braking, or a binding sensation after release would warrant disc measurement. Finally, verify that all position lamps, including the nearside front unit that failed in 2022, are functioning correctly, and confirm the current tyre brand, age and tread depth across all four corners before purchase.