2017 Skoda Fabia 1.0L Petrol · PJ17 UJB

The 2017 Skoda Fabia presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 15 September 2025 at 44,719 miles, passed but flagged two advisories: corrosion on the rear axle structure and a perished or cracked offside rear tyre. While neither defect caused a failure, the structural corrosion advisory is notable on a vehicle of this age and warrants close physical inspection. The overall trend is neither clearly improving nor worsening. Suspension bush wear appeared in 2022 and 2023 but was not flagged in 2024 or 2025, suggesting either replacement or that wear has stabilised below the advisory threshold. Tyre-related advisories have recurred across four of the last five tests, indicating a persistent pattern of uneven or premature tyre wear that has not been fully resolved. The mileage profile is unusually low. At 44,719 miles over approximately nine years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 4,969 miles per year, well below the typical UK annual figure of around 8,000 to 12,000 miles. The record shows a gap of 5,421 miles between September 2024 and September 2025, following a similar interval of 2,352 miles between September 2023 and September 2024. This suggests the car has been used sparingly in recent years, possibly for short urban trips or extended periods of inactivity. Low mileage reduces wear on mechanical components but can introduce its own risks, including brake hose corrosion from lack of use, tyre perishing from age rather than mileage, and exhaust system deterioration from short-run condensation. A buyer should prioritise inspecting the rear axle area for corrosion, paying particular attention to whether the structural rigidity has deteriorated since the September 2025 advisory was issued. The recurring front suspension arm rear bush wear flagged in 2022 and 2023 should be checked for play, even though it did not reappear in later tests. Both front brake hoses showed slight corrosion to their ferrules in the September 2022 test, and there is no record of replacement, so these should be examined for any progression. The repeated tyre advisories across multiple years, including worn edges and perishing, suggest possible alignment issues or prolonged standing on aged rubber. A thorough tyre inspection, including sidewalls and date codes, is essential.