2016 Skoda Fabia 1.2L Petrol · VO66 WDV

The defining mechanical story of this Fabia is one of borderline wear emerging at the front axle after several years of clean test outcomes. The most recent MOT on 10 July 2026 was passed, but it carried four advisories concentrated entirely on the front suspension and braking hardware, marking a clear departure from the unblemished passes recorded at the 2022, 2023 and 2025 tests. The shift from a clean record to a cluster of front-end advisories in a single visit points to components that have now reached the threshold of wear monitoring rather than failure. While there is no immediate pass-or-fail concern, the pattern suggests that within the next test cycle the front brake discs, pads and suspension linkage are likely to require replacement. With 32,697 miles recorded over a ten-year life, the car has averaged only around 3,270 miles annually, which is well below typical expectations for a vehicle of this age and is consistent with either predominantly short urban trips or extended periods of inactivity. This low accumulation rate means that wear-sensitive items such as brake discs, friction material and tyre rubber are likely to have aged as much through environmental exposure as through mechanical use. Long standing periods combined with low mileage can also accelerate surface corrosion on exposed underbody components, drying of rubber bushes, and moisture ingress into brake hydraulic systems, even where the odometer reading appears reassuringly modest. The mileage recorded at each annual test has remained broadly consistent rather than showing sudden heavy use, which rules out a high-mileage hidden history but does not eliminate the standing-time risks inherent to such low annual accumulation. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority on inspection is the front brake system flagged in the 2026 advisories. On a test drive, expect to feel any vibration or judder through the brake pedal as the worn front discs approach the minimum thickness, and listen for any grinding or metallic squeal that would indicate the thin pads have worn close to their backing plate. The offside front shock absorber showing light oil misting should be checked visually for any fresh seepage down the damper body and for any change in ride quality; a slight bounce or lack of damping over successive bumps would suggest the misting has progressed. The offside front suspension arm pin or bush, noted as worn at the rear of the arm, is best evaluated with the vehicle unladen by pushing down firmly on each front corner and releasing, feeling for a secondary knock or shudder as weight transfers, and by listening for clonking over uneven surfaces or speed humps. Steering response should remain precise, with no wandering or pulling that could indicate the bush wear has begun to allow excessive movement. Beyond the flagged items, the perished front tyres noted in the 2024 advisory confirm that rubber degradation from age rather than mileage remains a live concern on this vehicle. Any tyres currently fitted should be inspected closely for sidewall cracking and tread depth, regardless of their apparent condition, and budget for replacement if they are approaching five years of age. The brake fluid, given the low annual mileage and probable mixed urban use, would benefit from a fresh change to restore boiling-point resistance. Finally, because standing periods encourage corrosion in less visible areas, a thorough check of the underbody, subframe mounting points, brake pipe runs and exhaust hangers is worthwhile to confirm there is no hidden structural deterioration that the MOT station may not have flagged.