2014 Skoda Yeti 1.2L Petrol · SF14 VOT

The mechanical story behind this 2014 Skoda Yeti is one of largely quiet roadworthiness, though the presence of two failed MOT tests on the record, each followed immediately by a pass the very next day, merits attention. The most recent assessment on 28 January 2026 was a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, suggesting the vehicle was either presented in good order or had minor items rectified before re-test. Earlier entries follow a similar pattern: a pass on 19 February 2025 with no defects, and a pass on 4 April 2024, again with nothing flagged. The two failures on 27 January 2026 and 2 April 2024 both show no defects recorded, which is unusual but not unheard of; this typically indicates that the vehicle failed on a category not captured in the standard advisory database, such as a tyre compliance issue, a dashboard warning light such as ABS or airbag, or an emissions threshold breach that was subsequently cleared. Overall, the trend is stable rather than worsening, with no accumulating advisories suggesting chronic component wear. With approximately 66,036 miles recorded over twelve years, the Yeti is averaging around 5,500 miles annually, which is considerably below the typical figure for a family crossover of this era. This low accumulation could indicate a second car, retirement use, or significant periods of standing. Mechanically, lower annual mileage reduces wear on high-cycle components such as the clutch, turbocharger and engine internals, but it raises the risk associated with standing time, particularly corrosion on underbody components, brake disc pitting and flat-spots, and degradation of rubber items including suspension bushes, drive shaft gaiters and coolant hoses. There are no obvious large gaps in the testing history shown, with the vehicle appearing annually, suggesting it has been used consistently even if sparingly. For a prospective buyer, the lack of recorded advisories means the test history alone provides little specific guidance on which components to prioritise. However, given the vehicle's age, low mileage and the Yeti's known susceptibility to certain wear points, a physical inspection should focus on the rear suspension toe-link bushes and front anti-roll bar drop links, both of which are prone to deterioration on this platform. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate perished rear bushes. The front end should be checked for vague steering or a slight delay before self-centring, symptoms of worn drop links. Brake pedal feel deserves particular attention, given the likely periods of standing, so test from speed for any judder through the pedal suggesting disc warping, and listen for scraping or grinding on light application indicative of corroded or seized caliper slides. The DSG automatic gearbox, if fitted, or the manual linkage, should be evaluated for smooth selection and any clutch slip under load on inclines. Listen for any clonks from the drivetrain on initial acceleration or during low-speed manoeuvres, which can point to worn drive shaft joints or engine mount deterioration. The turbocharged 1.2 or 2.0 TSI/TDI engines, depending on specification, should be started from cold during viewing to listen for timing chain rattle, particularly on the 1.2 TSI units which are known for chain stretch at this age. A thorough underbody inspection for surface corrosion on subframes, brake lines and suspension arms is advisable given the vehicle's age, even though no advisories have yet been recorded. Finally, given the low annual mileage, it would be prudent to check the service history for evidence of age-related replacement rather than mileage-related servicing, including coolant, brake fluid, cambelt if applicable, and the condition of the battery.