2018 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · HW18 ACU

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2018 Audi Q5 was conducted on 9 December 2025 and resulted in a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded. This is consistent with the broader pattern across the documented history, which shows four consecutive passes from 2022 through 2025 with no advisories logged at any stage. The only failure on record occurred at the 2022 test, dated 16 December 2022, and involved two dangerous defects: a nearside rear tyre with exposed ply or cords, and a central rear seat belt with significantly weakened webbing. Both items were remedied within the same week, as evidenced by the subsequent pass on 23 December 2022, suggesting prompt and conscientious remedial action rather than any deeper mechanical concern. Overall, the maintenance trajectory is clearly stable and improving, with no recurring issues or advisory trends that would indicate developing deterioration. With 34,826 miles recorded over approximately eight years, the vehicle has been driven at an annual average of around 4,353 miles, which is notably low for a car of this age and significantly below the typical mileage profile for a premium SUV of its class. Such low usage can arise from either predominantly short urban journeys or extended periods of standing, and either pattern carries its own mechanical considerations. Where low annual mileage is the product of infrequent use, components more prone to degradation through inactivity rather than wear can present the greatest risk, even when the MOT record itself is unblemished. Given the clean MOT history and the low-mileage profile, a prospective buyer should focus less on wear-based defects and more on age and inactivity-related condition checks. Tyres should be inspected carefully for sidewall perishing and cracking from age, as rubber compounds degrade over time regardless of tread depth, and any tyres older than around six years should be replaced regardless of remaining tread. Brake discs and calipers should be examined for surface corrosion and signs of binding, which commonly develop on vehicles that stand for prolonged periods and can lead to uneven braking or pulling under pedal application. The 12V battery should be load-tested if possible, as low-use vehicles frequently suffer from premature battery failure due to sustained partial discharge without regular replenishment. Fluid conditions are also calendar-sensitive rather than purely mileage-driven; engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, and the automatic gearbox fluid should be checked for service history compliance, with brake fluid in particular being hygroscopic and generally due for renewal every two to three years regardless of mileage to prevent internal corrosion within the braking system. On a road test, particular attention should be paid to the suspension system, as the Q5 is fitted with multi-link rear suspension using rubber bushes that can perish or seize from underuse, producing clonking or knocking noises over uneven surfaces, speed humps, or during full steering lock application. The quattro drivetrain, including the transfer box and rear differential, should be monitored for any whining noises or vibrations under load, and a thorough inspection underneath for any oil seepage from the drivetrain or engine is advisable given the vehicle's age. The timing chain, tensioner, and balance shaft components on the 2.0 TFSI engines commonly fitted to this model are known age-related concerns beyond approximately 80,000 miles, but worth confirming via service records that any necessary preventive replacements have been carried out. Finally, verifying a complete main dealer or specialist service history with documented timing belt or chain inspection records will provide further reassurance that the vehicle has been mechanically maintained in line with its calendar age, rather than purely its modest mileage.