2013 Audi A4 2.0L Diesel · A17 BAU

A mechanical picture of this 2013 Audi A4 emerges as broadly reassuring, punctuated by two isolated failures across the recorded test history rather than a pattern of chronic deterioration. Six MOT tests are documented between 2021 and early 2026, with the most recent outcome on 25 March 2026 showing a pass with no recorded defects, sitting alongside an immediate failure on the same date for excessive play in the nearside front wheel bearing. The earlier test in 2023 produced a more eventful outcome, combining a dangerous nearside front tyre tread depth below the 1.6mm legal minimum, a split nearside front outer CV joint boot, and an inoperative windscreen washer, alongside an advisory noting a child seat obstructing inspection of the nearside rear adult belt. Tests in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025 passed cleanly with no advisories, suggesting the 2023 and 2026 defects are discrete incidents rather than evidence of systemic neglect of routine consumables. With 121,281 miles recorded against roughly thirteen years of age, the annual accumulation sits near 9,329 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this vintage and falls comfortably within normal usage parameters. There are no extended gaps in the testing record and no sudden jumps in odometer readings between consecutive tests, meaning the mileage progression can be read with reasonable confidence rather than inferred through long stationary periods. This consistent, moderate usage generally points to steady wear across mechanical components rather than the accelerated degradation often seen on high-mileage examples or the drying-out of seals and brake fluid that can accompany prolonged standing. The nature of the recorded defects, covering a wheel bearing, a CV boot, a tyre and a washer system, is consistent with the kind of wear expected at this mileage band on a car in regular service. A prospective buyer should concentrate the physical inspection on the areas flagged in the test record. The nearside front wheel bearing that failed in March 2026 should be confirmed as a recent replacement, with paperwork reviewed to establish the component used and who carried out the work; on the road, listen for a low-frequency hum or drone that rises and falls with vehicle speed and can change when cornering, as this is the classic symptom of a worn or incorrectly refitted bearing. The nearside front outer CV boot recorded as split in 2023 must also be verified as properly repaired, because a compromised boot allows grease to escape and contaminants to enter the joint, leading to judder under acceleration, clicking on full lock, and ultimately joint failure if neglected. Check the inner and outer CV boots on both sides for fresh grease deposits, perished rubber, or replaced securing clips, and road test with full-lock turns in both directions to listen for any rhythmic clicking. Tyre condition deserves close scrutiny, since a dangerous tread reading was recorded in 2023; measure the remaining tread across the full width of each tyre rather than just the central grooves, examine both inner and outer shoulders for uneven wear that could point to suspension misalignment, and confirm the sidewalls are free of cracks or bulges given the vehicle's age. The washer system should be operated to confirm effective fluid delivery to both the front and rear screens, as the 2023 failure for insufficient washer liquid could indicate a perished pipe, a failed pump, or a blocked nozzle rather than simply an empty reservoir. Beyond the specifically flagged items, a thorough inspection should cover the broader mechanical condition expected of a thirteen-year-old Audi A4 at this mileage. Listen on the test drive for any clonks or rattles from the front suspension over speed bumps and rough surfaces, which could indicate worn control arm bushes, anti-roll bar links, or top mounts, none of which have been flagged but are common wear items in this mileage bracket. The braking system should be checked for a firm pedal with no excessive travel, straight-line stability under braking, and any pulling to one side that could suggest a binding caliper, and the discs and pads inspected for lipping and remaining material. Finally, a thorough check underneath the vehicle for any signs of corrosion on subframe mounting points, brake pipes, and suspension turrets is prudent given the age, and an underbonnet inspection for oil leaks from the cam chain area, valve cover gasket, and turbo oil lines would round off a considered evaluation of this otherwise reasonably maintained example.