2012 Skoda Octavia 2.0L Diesel · SJ12 POA

The vehicle is currently roadworthy but the maintenance history reveals a persistent trend of structural corrosion and suspension wear. While the most recent test in February 2026 at 112,576 miles was a pass, it followed a failure just two days prior for an inoperative headlamp levelling device. The corrosion on the rear sub-frame and lower suspension arms has appeared consistently across the last three years, indicating that while components have not yet reached the point of structural failure, oxidation is an ongoing and active process. At a recorded mileage of 112,576 miles over 14 years, the vehicle averages approximately 8,000 miles per year. This is consistent with typical usage for a car of this age. The data shows steady annual intervals, with roughly 3,000 miles covered between January 2024 and February 2025, and another 3,800 miles leading up to February 2026. This regular use suggests the car is driven regularly, which generally prevents certain components from seizing due to prolonged neglect. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the rear sub-frame and lower suspension arms to ensure the corrosion has not progressed beyond the 'not seriously weakened' threshold noted in previous tests. The history shows a fractured offside front coil spring in early 2025 and recurring issues with anti-roll bar bushes and ball joints, suggesting the suspension system is reaching the end of its service life. Attention should also be paid to the headlamp levelling mechanism to ensure the repair made following the February 2026 failure was effective.