2016 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · AP66 OMF

A pattern of broadly consistent roadworthiness sits beneath this 2016 Audi A5's MOT record, with five passes and a single failure that was remedied on the same day. The August 2026 test initially recorded a Major defect for the nearside front wiper failing to clear the windscreen effectively, but the immediate retest returned a clean pass with no advisories or defects, suggesting the issue was resolved at the time of test rather than left as a latent concern. Across the six recorded tests from 2020 to 2026, the car has only carried a handful of advisories, primarily centred on tyres and brake pads, with no structural corrosion, suspension, exhaust, or lighting defects flagged at any point. This is a relatively tidy record, though the limited number of advisories means there are still specific components worth examining in person before committing to a purchase. Against a ten-year age, the recorded 57,920 miles equates to an average of roughly 5,800 miles per year, which is notably low for a vehicle of this vintage. The mileage progression between tests is broadly even, with no sudden large jumps that might suggest clocking irregularities or prolonged periods off the road followed by heavy use. Low annual mileage such as this typically results in less wear on high-cycle consumables like brake discs, clutches, and engine internals, but it can also bring challenges associated with shorter journeys and extended standing periods, such as moisture accumulation in the engine oil, tyre perishing from limited flexing, and potential deterioration of rubber components throughout the cooling and fuel systems. The repeated tyre advisories across multiple test cycles would lend some weight to the latter concern. The recurring advisories on the offside rear tyre, flagged in both 2020 and 2021 for wear close to the legal limit and worn on the edge, indicate a tendency for uneven shoulder wear on that corner, which on an A5 often points to either an alignment issue, a worn rear bush, or a slight camber problem rather than simply aggressive driving style. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the rear suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed bumps, and pay attention to whether the car tracks straight without pulling. The nearside rear tyre was also noted close to the limit in 2025, this time with 2mm of tread recorded, suggesting all four corners should be inspected for age-related cracking as well as remaining tread depth, given that the offside front was also flagged for perishing in 2025. The 2022 advisory on front brake pads wearing thin has likely been addressed by now, but it is worth checking the current pad and disc condition directly, feeling through the wheel for any lip on the disc edge that would confirm the pads have worn further since. The most recent failure and the earlier minor defect on the wiper blade both relate to the windscreen wiper system, which on a low-mileage car is more often a symptom of rubber deterioration from age and UV exposure than mechanical linkage failure. Inspect both wiper blades for streaking or splitting, and verify that the washer jets provide adequate coverage across the full swept area. Given that no structural, exhaust, or underbody advisories have appeared at any test, a thorough inspection of the sills, subframe mounts, and brake lines for any emerging corrosion would be worthwhile, particularly around the rear arches and under the wheel wells, as these are common areas on A5s approaching a decade of age. Finally, with such low annual usage, a fresh inspection of all fluid levels and condition, including coolant strength and engine oil, would be sensible to confirm the vehicle has been suitably maintained between infrequent trips.