2022 Skoda Scala 1.0L Petrol · NX72 XBV

The most recent MOT activity on 19 February 2026 at 162,854 miles reveals a clear deterioration in roadworthiness compared with the vehicle's earlier unblemished record. The initial test on that date failed due to five separate defects, including a split front nearside CV joint boot, a defective wiper blade, a nail puncturing the offside rear tyre, a worn front brake disc, and slight play in the offside front steering linkage ball joint. Although the retest later the same day passed, the examiner still flagged the front brake disc wear and the steering ball joint play as advisories. These are not fresh minor consumables but recurring mechanical concerns that suggest the car has entered a phase of accelerated wear or deferred maintenance. The mileage accumulation is exceptionally aggressive for a four-year-old vehicle. Between the clean pass on 1 March 2023 at 12,758 miles and the clean pass on 13 February 2025 at 112,799 miles, the car covered exactly 100,041 miles in just under two years, averaging over 50,000 miles per annum. A further 50,055 miles were then added in the fourteen months between February 2025 and February 2026. This sustained high-intensity use places significant stress on suspension bushes, shock absorbers, brake components, drivetrain joints, and the exhaust system, all of which deteriorate faster under constant motorway loading than under gentle urban use. A buyer inspecting this Scala in person should focus on the front suspension and steering geometry. The recurring advisory for play in the offside front inner steering linkage ball joint at 162,854 miles, after no such finding at 112,799 miles, indicates wear that will likely worsen. Check the nearside and offside front track rod ends, drop links, and front anti-roll bar bushes for play. Inspect the front CV joint boots carefully, particularly the nearside outer boot that was split in February 2026, as a replacement boot or joint may have been fitted since. Examine the front brake discs and pads for thickness and scoring, given the advisory wear noted at the most recent test. The tyre condition also warrants attention. A nail in the offside rear tyre at the February 2026 test implies either a puncture repair or a replacement tyre has been fitted since. Verify the date codes and tread depth across all four tyres and the spare, as high-mileage cars frequently need multiple tyre sets within a short window. Finally, inspect the subframes, suspension mounting points, and exhaust system for corrosion and cracking, as sustained high-mileage use on salted roads accelerates structural deterioration that an MOT visual check may not fully capture.