2020 Skoda Karoq 1.5L Petrol · YC69 XRH

A clean five-test MOT sequence with no failures or structural advisories points to a vehicle that has held its roadworthiness consistently, with the most recent pass on 17 August 2026 issued alongside only a single advisory for thin front brake pads. The overall trend is one of mechanical stability, with the 2023 tests and the 2025 test both completely free of recorded defects and the only flagged items being tyre wear in 2024 and now brake pad wear. The fact that the recent advisories are limited to normal consumables rather than corrosion, suspension components, exhaust integrity, or braking system hydraulics is a strong indicator that the chassis and running gear have not developed the chronic issues often seen on higher-mileage SUVs. At 74,535 miles over roughly six years, this Karoq is running at an average of about 12,400 miles per year, which is notably above the typical private-use rate of 7,000 to 10,000 miles annually. Mechanically, that level of accumulation brings forward the replacement cycle for items that wear with distance rather than age, including brake discs and pads, clutch components if it is a manual, tyre sidewalls and tread, and the rubber-bushed suspension components such as anti-roll bar links, wishbone bushes, and lower arm joints. The MOT record corroborates this through the 2024 advisories for both front tyres wearing close to the legal limit on their edges and the recent note that the front brake pads are now thinning, both of which are distance-driven wear patterns rather than age-driven deterioration. When inspecting this vehicle, the front braking system deserves particular attention because the pads have already been flagged as wearing thin. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding noise from the front wheels that would suggest the pads have worn to the backing plate since the August 2026 test, and feel for a soft or spongy pedal that could indicate a caliper slider that has seized and is unevenly wearing the pads. Because both front tyres were noted as worn on their edges in 2024, the front suspension geometry should be examined for the cause of that wear pattern, as excessive or uneven edge wear often points to worn wishbone bushes, top mounts, or drooping coil springs. Jack the front wheels and check for play in the suspension linkages, pay attention to any knocking or clonking from the front corners over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and verify that the tracking is within specification to prevent the same edge-wear problem from reappearing on the replacement tyres. Beyond the items specifically recorded on the MOT history, a test drive in this Karoq should include a thorough check of the higher-mileage service items that would not necessarily appear on an MOT. With 74,000 miles covered, the timing belt or chain interval, depending on the engine fitted, should be confirmed against the service schedule, and the condition of the dual-clutch automatic gearbox oil or manual transmission fluid should be verified. Listen for any vibration through the steering wheel at speed that could indicate worn front wheel bearings or prop-shaft issues on four-wheel-drive variants, and feel for clutch slip or rough gearchanges that would suggest the transmission is approaching its next major service. Inspect the underside for any oil misting from the engine or turbo seals, check the coolant expansion tank for staining that could point to a slow head gasket or water pump weep, and ensure that the air conditioning compressor and auxiliary drive belt are operating quietly under load, as these are all components that consume life in line with the elevated mileage this vehicle has accumulated.