2013 Skoda Citigo 1.0L Petrol · YR63 YMU

The most recent MOT, carried out on 08 April 2026 at 70,210 miles, initially failed before passing on the same day. That retest confirms the car is currently legal, but the advisory and failure items recorded at that visit point to a worsening maintenance trend rather than a stable or improving one. Four tyres were flagged for cracking or perishing, both front brake discs were worn and corroded on their edges, there was play in the offside front steering rack inner joint, and the nearside outer sill was recorded as damaged. These are not isolated one-off advisories. The same steering rack play and nearside sill damage have appeared repeatedly since at least April 2025, suggesting underlying issues have persisted across multiple annual tests without being properly resolved. At 70,210 miles over roughly thirteen years, this Citigo has averaged around 5,400 miles per year, which is low for its age. The mileage progression supports that figure: 65,692 miles in February 2023, 68,398 miles in February 2024, 68,726 miles in April 2025, and 70,210 miles in April 2026. That is an increase of only about 1,500 miles between early 2024 and early 2025, followed by a similar modest gain into 2026. Such low annual use often means long periods of standing, which can explain the repeated tyre perishing advisories and the corrosion noted on the brake discs. Tyres age out before they wear out on cars like this, and discs can surface-rust during short-trip or stationary conditions. A buyer should focus the in-person inspection on the areas the MOT record keeps flagging. The nearside outer sill damage has appeared in three consecutive tests, so that panel needs close examination for corrosion or poor previous repair, not just cosmetic scuffing. The offside front steering rack inner joint play has been carried forward as an advisory since at least April 2025, so check for clunking on turn and uneven inner tyre wear, and budget for a rack or inner track end replacement if it has not been done. Both front brake discs were noted as worn and corroded on their edges at the most recent test; measure disc thickness and check for a lip, and inspect the pads for uneven deposits. The four tyres showing cracking or perishing at the April 2026 test are a concern given the low mileage. Age-related sidewall deterioration is likely, so verify the date codes on all four tyres and the spare if fitted. A car doing only 1,500 miles a year can sit on the same set of tyres for half a decade, and perished rubber is a genuine failure risk even with legal tread depth. The split fuel cap seal recorded on the first attempt of the April 2026 test should also be confirmed as replaced, since a defective evaporative emission seal can cause recurring emissions-related faults. Overall, the car is currently roadworthy, but the pattern of repeated advisories and low-mileage storage wear suggests a thorough mechanical and structural inspection is essential before purchase.