2012 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · AF62 RZA

A recurring pattern of front-end wear and drivetrain boot deterioration defines the recent history of this vehicle, contrasting with a previously clean record. While the test on 13 November 2025 resulted in a pass, it highlighted multiple suspension concerns and a persistent issue with the offside front outer drive shaft joint boot. The transition from a defect-free record between 2019 and 2023 to multiple advisories and a major engine management light failure in 2024 suggests a shift toward increased component wear. With 141,165 miles recorded over approximately fourteen years, the vehicle has averaged around 10,000 miles annually. This usage pattern is typical for its age, indicating consistent road use rather than prolonged periods of inactivity. Mechanically, this level of accumulation typically correlates with the expected degradation of rubber bushings, suspension linkages, and drivetrain seals, which is reflected in the recent MOT advisories. Attention must be paid to the front suspension and steering components, specifically the lower suspension arm bushes and anti-roll bar linkages flagged in the latest inspection. During a test drive, the buyer should listen for knocks or clunks when driving over speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, as these are common symptoms of worn suspension pins and ball joints. Any vagueness in the steering response or a tendency for the vehicle to wander may also be linked to the wear noted in the lower suspension arms. The recurring reports of severely deteriorated constant velocity boots on both the offside and nearside front drive shafts require close inspection. If these boots have allowed grease to escape or contaminants to enter the joint, it may lead to premature failure of the drive shaft. Listen for rhythmic clicking sounds during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, which would indicate that the joint itself is damaged beyond the boot deterioration. The 2024 failure regarding the engine management light also necessitates verification that the fault was permanently resolved and is not a recurring electronic or emissions-related issue.