2014 Skoda Superb 1.6L Diesel · OV63 VFR

The most recent DVSA examination on 18 March 2026 resulted in a pass, but only after a prior failure on the same date was rectified. The failure notice included a nearside rear tyre with tread depth below the legal 1.6mm requirement and categorised as Dangerous, together with a Major defect for an excessively worn rear bush on the nearside front lower suspension arm. The pass advisory list mirrors this, recording the same nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit and an offside rear tyre in similar condition, indicating that although the vehicle met minimum standards on the day, the components that prompted the failure had either been replaced or rectified immediately prior to the pass. Reviewing the broader history from 2023 onwards, the trend is showing signs of deterioration rather than stability, with tyre edge wear advisories appearing at virtually every test, an additional advisory in April 2025 for thinning rear brake pads, and a recurring advisory for a non-excessive oil leak from the turbocharger. A clean pass with no advisories in October 2024 and September 2025 demonstrates the vehicle is fundamentally roadworthy, but the accumulating items suggest that consumable wear is accelerating and component attention is required. With a recorded mileage of 179,129 miles against a 2014 registration, this SuperB is covering approximately 14,900 miles annually, which is notably above the typical average for a vehicle of this age and points to sustained high-mileage use rather than periods of standing. There are no significant gaps between MOT entries that would imply long storage, with tests appearing at roughly six-month intervals throughout the recorded period. Mechanically, this usage profile accelerates wear on suspension components, braking hardware, clutch and dual-mass flywheel if manual, turbocharger oil seals, and engine mounts, while also placing greater demand on the cooling system, timing chain or belt service intervals, and transmission fluid. The advisory for a turbo oil leak is particularly relevant on the SuperB range, as the EA888 and EA390 engines are known for oil weep from the turbocharger housing and feed/return pipes, which can progress into pressurised boost loss or excessive consumption if left unattended. Given the recurring nearside front and offside rear tyre edge wear advisories across multiple tests, a prospective buyer should recognise this as a pattern rather than an isolated finding, as consistent shoulder or inner-edge wear typically points to tracking misalignment, worn suspension bushes, weakened coil springs, or top mount deterioration rather than simple tyre ageing. A test drive should be conducted over varied road surfaces, listening for clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven tarmac, particularly from the nearside where the lower arm bush has already been flagged as excessively worn. Brake pedal feel should be assessed for sponginess, and a steady speed stop should confirm there is no pulling, vibration through the steering wheel, or shudder that would indicate warped front discs, while the rear pads noted as wearing thin in April 2025 should now be verified as recently renewed rather than approaching replacement again. With the prior failure identifying a dangerous nearside rear tyre, all four tyres must be physically inspected for current tread depth and even wear across the full width, and the spare or inflation kit should be checked for serviceability. Beyond the recorded advisories, the overall age and mileage warrant specific attention to items that time and use degrade irrespective of MOT coverage. The 12V battery should be tested for cranking performance and state of health, as a unit over five years old is statistically likely to be approaching end of service life. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time and should have been changed within the last two to three years regardless of mileage, while coolant condition and timing belt or chain service history on the SuperB must be verified through the service book, as neglect of these intervals can result in catastrophic engine damage. Diesel examples of this era are also prone to EGR valve carbon build-up and dual-mass flywheel wear, so any signs of uneven idle, hesitation under load, or clonching from the bellhousing on take-off should be investigated. Finally, a careful inspection underneath for fresh drips or coolant staining, combined with a pre-purchase diagnostic scan for stored fault codes in systems not covered by the MOT such as the ABS module, turbocharger actuator, and emissions control, would provide a far more complete picture of this high-mileage SuperB's true mechanical condition.