Drop Link Rubber Cracking

If by "drop link rubber" you mean the rubber boot or gaiter on the drop link, then yes, this will cause an NCT fail if it's cracked/damaged.

If it's a main dealer you've got the quote from, they'll always be expensive. it's not a complicated job so if you know of a local mechanic, it would be worth asking them for a quote instead.

Edit: older cars can be a pain to work on. Rust and/or seized bolts can easily turn a 15 minute job into an hour or more. The Peugeot dealer may have factored this into the quote.

I just happened to do my drop links at the weekend (2010 Qashqai). Was doing brake pads also so wheels etc were off, but it took me about an hour. Not a mechanic, just an eegit with access to a lift. Was 40 quid for the set of droplinks.

Good ones are about 50 quid each, if you replace with trw or lemforder then you will easily get 200,000km out of a set

The cheapo ones don't last at all

Any particular brands you’d recommend for Mk3 Octavia?

you mention TRW. There are TRW ones on Autodoc for €15. would you know if these particular ones are likely to be good?

https://www.auto-doc.ie/trw/2204526

there’s also the option of Lemforder for around €30

https://www.auto-doc.ie/lemforder/1263890

Trw would be just fine

@BlakeS94 trw and lemforder are the OEM supplier to BMW Mercedes and VAG so generally they would be the best aftermarket quality you can get.

Febi can be a mixed bag with what you get, definitely better than starline but in my experience with the above 2 they are definitely the longest lasting suspension parts.

Manufacturers are always looking for ways to shitify their products though in the name of saving a few pence however a small amount of grease is not cause for concern, less is often more when it comes to grease.

Just need to watch out as I said in another thread fake parts are all over the place branded as lemforder, trw, Bosch in particular so stick to the big name suppliers when ordering and avoid Amazon and eBay