2008 Skoda Roomster 1.9L Diesel · PK08 XML

The 2008 Skoda Roomster holds a valid MOT passed on 9 July 2025 at 101,969 miles, though that certificate followed a failure on the same day at the same mileage. The maintenance picture is mixed. A fractured offside rear coil spring and a cut sidewall on the offside rear tyre forced the initial failure, yet both defects appear to have been addressed before the afternoon retest. Recurring advisories on front lower suspension arm corrosion and rear brake pipe corrosion have persisted since at least 2022, indicating a slow, stable pattern of surface deterioration rather than sudden structural decline. The car is roadworthy today, but the repeated corrosion items suggest underbody protection has been neglected over multiple years. Mileage progression tells a clear story of light use. The car covered just 8,258 miles between July 2022 at 83,891 miles and July 2023 at 87,149 miles, then 8,558 miles to July 2024 at 95,707 miles, and only 6,262 miles in the twelve months to July 2025 at 101,969 miles. Annual averages sit well below 6,000 miles, which is low for an eighteen-year-old vehicle. No large gaps or sudden jumps appear in the record, so the odometer reading looks genuine. Low mileage helps preserve drivetrain and suspension components, yet prolonged standing can accelerate rubber perishing and brake corrosion, both of which show up repeatedly here. A buyer should inspect the front lower suspension arms closely. Both arms have been flagged for corrosion at every test since July 2023, with the wording unchanged: corroded but not seriously weakened. That consistency suggests the arms have not been replaced and may now be worse than the tester recorded. Check the offside rear coil spring carefully. It was corroded in 2023 and 2024, then fractured in the July 2025 failure, and presumably replaced for the pass. Confirm a new spring is fitted and look for any fresh welding or patching on the rear subframe or spring seats. The rear braking system demands equal attention. Both rear brake discs were flagged as worn and pitted in 2025, and the offside rear brake pipe has carried a corrosion advisory since 2022. Grease or contamination was noted on that pipe in 2023 and again in 2025, which may indicate a chronic leak or poor repair rather than simple road grime. Have a mechanic measure disc thickness and examine the pipe for pitting beneath any coating. Front brake discs have worn steadily since 2022, so expect them near or at minimum thickness. Finally, check all tyre sidewalls for fresh cuts or bulges, given the 2025 failure, and inspect the rear shock absorbers, as the nearside unit was misting oil as far back as 2022 with no recorded rectification.