2010 Skoda Octavia 1.6L Diesel · SM60 BPE

The 2010 Skoda Octavia passed its most recent MOT on 19 January 2026 at 210,407 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening. A clean bill of health in October 2022 at 195,211 miles gave way to advisories on all four brake discs by February 2025 at 209,215 miles, and the January 2026 test added a new advisory for corrosion on all four coil springs. This progression from zero defects to repeated disc wear and now suspension corrosion suggests the car is entering a phase where age-related deterioration is accelerating. The mileage profile is high for a 16-year-old car, averaging roughly 13,150 miles per year. Between October 2022 and October 2023, the car covered 4,561 miles, then roughly 9,443 miles in the following 15 months leading to the February 2025 test, before appearing stationary or barely used between February 2025 and January 2026 when the odometer read 210,407. That sharp drop in usage after February 2025 is notable and could mean the car has been sitting, which often accelerates brake disc surface corrosion and can cause calipers to seize. A buyer should pay close attention to the front and rear brake discs and pads, given the repeated advisories across multiple test dates. Pitting and scoring that appeared on all four corners by 2025 implies the discs have been wearing unevenly or the pads have been abrasive. The corroded coil springs flagged in January 2026 are a structural concern rather than a cosmetic one. Rust on coil springs can lead to reduced ride height, uneven load distribution, and in extreme cases spring fracture. Have a technician inspect the springs closely, particularly at the lower mounting points where moisture collects. Beyond the flagged items, check for play in suspension bushes, track rod ends, and drop links, as high-mileage Octavias of this era commonly wear these components. Examine the underside for corrosion on subframes, sills, and around the rear beam mounting points. The exhaust system and DPF should also be assessed given the mileage, as short trips after a period of low use can cause condensation and localised rust through.