2021 Audi A6 S Line Black ED 40 TDI SA 2.0L Diesel · AT55 REF

A pattern of brake and suspension wear advisories has begun to emerge on this 2021 Audi A6 S Line Black Edition 40 TDI, suggesting that its mechanical components are now reaching the sort of serviceable age where consumable and chassis parts demand closer scrutiny. The most recent test on 10 July 2026 returned a pass, but the examiner flagged a worn nearside front suspension arm pin or bush on the lower curved arm, while the prior 2024 test carried advisories for brake discs pitted or scored across all four corners and brake pads wearing thin across the axle. Between those two flagged tests, the 2025 examination was entirely clean, indicating that the wear trajectory is not catastrophic but is trending towards component replacement. The accumulation of chassis and braking advisories over a relatively short testing window points to a vehicle that is now in the phase where ride refinement, stopping performance, and suspension geometry tolerances all warrant direct physical inspection rather than assumption of continued fitness. With 68,732 miles on the odometer over approximately five years of life, this A6 is averaging roughly 13,700 miles per year, which sits well above the typical private usage rate and falls into the higher accumulation bracket for a vehicle of its age. Such mileage is consistent with motorway commuting or fleet-style operation, both of which place sustained thermal load on the braking system and steady cyclic loading on the suspension links. The lack of any testing gap in the recorded history suggests the car has remained in continuous service rather than being laid up for extended periods, meaning corrosion exposure is limited but mechanical wear on moving parts is proportionally higher. For a prospective buyer, this usage profile implies that brake discs, pads, tyres, and suspension bushes have likely absorbed substantially more thermal and stress cycles than a lower-mileage example, even though the recorded MOT history does not yet show outright failures. Given the brake disc advisory recorded in 2024 across all four corners, a test drive should be used to feel for any brake pedal pulsation or vibration through the steering wheel under moderate to firm deceleration, which would indicate the discs have worn beyond acceptable lateral run-out limits even if not flagged as a failure. The throttle response and stopping distance from 30 mph should feel consistent and linear without pulling to either side, as unevenly worn discs can sometimes produce a subtle steering bias. Listen for any grinding, squeal, or low-speed rumble that might suggest pad material is now close to backing-plate thickness. Inspect the visible disc faces and inner edges through the wheel spokes for a pronounced lip on the outer circumference, which provides a direct visual indication of remaining friction material and disc wear. The nearside front lower suspension arm bush flagged in July 2026 is the item demanding the most immediate attention, as worn compliance bushes in the front lower curved arm can produce a vague or wandering feel in the steering, particularly over mid-corner bumps or during lane changes at speed. On a test drive, deliberately traverse speed humps and uneven road surfaces to listen for clonking or knocking from the front end, and pay attention to any steering vibration or shimmy that develops over broken tarmac. With the vehicle raised for inspection, the bushes should be physically checked for perishing, cracking, or visible separation from the metal housing, and the lower arm itself examined for any play at the inner pivot. Given the higher-than-average annual mileage, it is also worth checking the condition of the rear suspension components, anti-roll bar links, and top mounts proactively, as these typically follow the front items once chassis wear begins to surface on the MOT record.