2012 Skoda Fabia 1.2L Petrol · WN62 LFP

The most recent DVSA examination on 19 November 2025 resulted in a PASS, with five advisories recorded against the vehicle, namely an offside front inner tyre worn close to the legal limit and on edge, an oil leak not deemed excessive, a front inner brake disc pitted or scored but not seriously weakened, and worn rear bushes on both front suspension arms not yet resulting in excessive movement. Reviewing the longer term pattern, this Fabia has passed every test since 2019, with the only failure being a single major defect on 4 December 2024 for a nearside rear position lamp showing white light to the rear, a relatively minor and easily rectified lamp issue rather than a structural or mechanical failure. However, the advisory count has been steadily increasing year on year, from no recorded defects in 2019, to four in 2021, five in 2023, five again in 2024, and five in 2025. Critically, several advisories have recurred or persisted across consecutive examinations, most notably the front suspension arm rear bushes, the front brake disc condition, the oil leak, and the offside rear service brake binding. This indicates a vehicle whose maintenance trend is stable rather than improving, with cumulative wear items now clustering around the front suspension, braking system, and minor oil seepage that warrant close scrutiny from any prospective buyer. The recorded mileage of 82,502 miles across fourteen years equates to an annual average of roughly 5,893 miles, which is substantially below the typical mileage for a car of this age and represents light overall use. There are no obvious missing years or large unexplained gaps in the MOT record, with tests consistently appearing in late November or December, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular but low mileage use rather than long term storage. From a mechanical perspective, lower annual mileage can be a mixed blessing, as it reduces wear on high mileage items such as the clutch, engine internals, and drivetrain, but it also brings its own concerns, particularly corrosion from short winter journeys where the system never fully warms through, brake discs corroding and calipers seizing from extended standing periods, and accelerated perishing of rubber components such as tyres, bushes, and flexible hoses purely through age rather than use. The oil leak advisory that has persisted since at least 2023 deserves particular attention, as low mileage use means more cold starts relative to distance covered, and prolonged standing can dry out gaskets and seals. Given the recurring advisories on the front suspension arm rear bushes, a prospective buyer should physically inspect both front lower arms for perished, cracked, or split rubber bushes and check for any vertical or longitudinal play by rocking the wheels at the bottom and pushing and pulling them fore and aft with the steering in the straight ahead position. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or when turning at low speed, as these are classic symptoms of worn bushes that are nearing the point at which they will fail their next MOT. The persistent brake disc pitting and scoring advisories from 2021 onwards indicate progressive surface wear, and you should expect that replacement of the front discs and pads will be due imminently; symptoms to watch for include brake shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under heavy braking, extended stopping distances, and a grinding or squealing noise. The offside rear brake binding advisory, recorded in both 2023 and 2024, points to a sticky caliper or partially seized slider mechanism, which can manifest as the rear wheel running warmer than the opposite side after driving, uneven rear tyre wear, and a pulling sensation under braking. The persistent oil leak should be inspected by placing clean cardboard under the engine overnight to identify the source, whether from the sump, valve cover gasket, or front crankshaft seal, and a low mileage fourteen year old engine warrants a compression test or at minimum careful listening for timing chain rattle on cold start, as these units are known for tensioner wear. Finally, although the mileage is low, the calendar age of fourteen years means that several non mileage related service items should be physically verified before purchase. Tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking, perishing, and visible age stamping, as rubber degrades chemically regardless of tread depth, and the advisory on the offside front inner tyre from the latest test suggests replacement is already overdue. The 12V battery should be load tested, as batteries typically fail after five to seven years and a standing or infrequently used vehicle is particularly susceptible to sulphation and premature failure. Brake fluid, coolant, and the manual transmission or clutch hydraulic fluid should all be assumed overdue for renewal based on age alone, as most manufacturers specify two to four year intervals, and old brake fluid significantly increases the risk of brake fade due to absorbed moisture. Inspect the rear exhaust outer casing for the corrosion flagged in 2024, checking for thin or holed sections particularly along the silencer and rear box, and verify that the recent position lamp rectification has been carried out properly. Confirm a full service history with corresponding invoices or stamps, and check that the cam belt or timing chain replacement interval has been observed, as this is a critical age related maintenance item on the Fabia irrespective of the low recorded mileage.