2022 Skoda Fabia SE Comfort TSI 1.0L Petrol · PK72 VKC

The Skoda Fabia SE Comfort TSI most recently passed its MOT examination on 20 October 2025 with no failures, failures items, or refusal categories recorded against the vehicle. Two advisory notices were issued at this test, both relating to tyre condition: the nearside rear tyre and the offside rear tyre were noted as slightly damaged, cracking, or perishing. As this represents the only MOT entry on file for this Fabia, it is not possible to evaluate a multi-year trend of test outcomes; however, the clean pass with only minor advisories suggests the vehicle has been maintained to a satisfactory roadworthy standard at the time of its last statutory inspection, with no structural, braking, suspension, lighting, or exhaust concerns flagged by the examining tester. With a recorded mileage of 10,581 miles against an age of approximately four years, this Fabia is demonstrating considerably lower than average annual usage of around 2,645 miles per year. Such a low annual figure typically indicates either predominantly short-trip urban motoring or, more likely for a car of this nature, extended periods of standing or very infrequent use. While low mileage generally preserves major mechanical components such as the engine, clutch, and gearbox by reducing wear from accumulated cycles, it presents its own distinct set of age-related concerns. Vehicles that stand for prolonged periods are prone to brake disc corrosion, particularly on the rear drums or discs where surface rust can lead to binding calipers or juddering under braking. The 12-volt battery is also likely to have suffered degradation from infrequent charging cycles, and calendar-aged fluids including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and the automatic transmission fluid where applicable will all require verification of service intervals based on time rather than distance. Regarding the specific advisory items recorded on both rear tyres, sidewall perishing and cracking is a common time-related phenomenon affecting tyres regardless of tread depth, as the rubber compound deteriorates from UV exposure, ozone, and general ageing. While the advisory categorisation indicates the tyres were within legal limits at test, a prospective buyer should physically inspect the rear tyres for visible sidewall cracking, bulging, or brittleness, paying particular attention to the area between the tread shoulder and the sidewall bead. On a test drive, listen for any increase in road noise from the rear axle, which can indicate uneven wear or sidewall deformation, and visually check for any inconsistent inner or outer shoulder wear which may suggest alignment or suspension geometry issues. Given the vehicle's low mileage, the original factory tyres may still be fitted; if so, consideration should be given to replacement regardless of remaining tread depth, as tyres older than five years from their DOT manufacture stamp are generally recommended for renewal due to compound hardening and reduced wet grip performance. Beyond the recorded advisories, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should include a detailed examination of the underbody and suspension, as low mileage does not necessarily protect against corrosion in box-section chassis areas, sill seams, and suspension mounting points. All four brake calipers and handbrake mechanism should be checked for seizing, which commonly occurs on vehicles that have stood for extended periods. The coolant, brake fluid, and engine oil should be assessed for colour and clarity, with a service history stamp verification confirming time-based fluid changes have been carried out at appropriate intervals, typically every two years for brake fluid and longer durations for coolant. A battery health test using a diagnostic tester or conductance analyser is strongly advised, as is an electronic scan via OBD for any stored fault codes relating to the TSI engine management, turbocharger, or DSG automatic gearbox systems. Finally, careful attention should be paid during the test drive to any hesitancy, misfire, or turbo whistle under load, as low-mileage direct injection petrol engines can suffer from carbon build-up on intake valves and spark plugs if predominantly used for short journeys without reaching full operating temperature.