2018 Skoda Fabia 1.0L Petrol · SM18 RWK

The 2018 Skoda Fabia presents a deteriorating mechanical trend, despite passing its most recent MOT on 2026-05-13 at 79,511 miles. The tester flagged play in the offside front steering rack inner joint alongside light oil misting on both front shock absorbers during this latest assessment. These newly recorded defects indicate advancing wear in critical front-end components. The vehicle remains roadworthy, but the presence of steering play combined with degrading damper seals points to a lack of proactive suspension maintenance by the previous keeper. Covering 79,511 miles over eight years, the Fabia averages roughly 9,939 miles per year, a typical annual distance for a vehicle of this age. The mileage accumulation reveals a notable gap between the 2024-05-24 test at 55,844 miles and the 2025-05-22 test at 68,111 miles, representing 12,267 miles covered in just under twelve months. This sudden spike suggests a shift from light use to heavier daily commuting, placing increased stress on consumables and mechanical components after a period of lower activity. A physical inspection must thoroughly evaluate the front suspension and braking system. The recurring issue of worn and pitted rear brake discs appeared in both the 2024-05-24 and 2025-05-22 tests, with the latter failure also citing excessively fluctuating front service brakes. This pattern suggests the previous owner neglected brake replacements, likely running discs and pads beyond their safe service limits. Check the front shock absorbers for oil misting, a clear sign of failing damper seals that compromises suspension damping. Examine the steering rack inner joint for excessive play, which directly causes vague steering response. Inspect the vehicle's undercarriage for corrosion, as Fabias subjected to long periods of standing followed by high mileage can develop structural weaknesses in subframes and suspension mounting points.