2016 Audi A4 3.0L Diesel · BV66 OOC

This Audi A4 presents a roadworthiness profile dominated by a pattern of premature tyre wear and brake component depletion that has resulted in two outright MOT failures within the past three years. The most recent test on 2026-06-23 returned a pass, but it was accompanied by advisories for a front coolant leak and an illuminated brake wear indicator where pad thickness could not be fully verified, leaving genuine uncertainty over the remaining friction material. Looking back through the record, the situation is rather more concerning than the single advisory would suggest. In September 2023 the vehicle failed on front brake pads worn to the indicator and rear brake pads recorded as dangerous at less than 1.5 mm, with the nearside rear disc also flagged for wear. A second failure followed in October 2024 due to a dangerous offside front tyre with sidewall damage exposing ply or cords, and a third in December 2024 for a nearside front tyre similarly worn smooth on the inner edge. Across the 2021, 2022, and 2024 tests there is a consistent theme of front tyres reaching 3 mm or less, with rear tyres following suit in 2022 and 2024, often with uneven inner-edge wear characteristic of this platform. The cumulative picture is one of a car consuming its consumables at a notably accelerated rate rather than one with an isolated incident. The recorded mileage of 122,224 against a 2016 registration equates to an annual accumulation of roughly 12,200 miles, which sits at the upper end of typical use for a ten year old vehicle of this class. This is consistent with the MOT history, which shows tests clustered tightly without the extended gaps that would suggest long periods off the road. The pattern between 2021 and 2024 in particular shows relatively continuous use, and the rapid succession of brake and tyre failures during this active period reflects the mechanical reality of higher mileage operation: friction components, particularly on a vehicle running 245/35 R19 tyres on all four corners, are placed under considerable demand and wear accordingly. However, the fact that inner-edge tyre wear has been flagged repeatedly across multiple axles points to more than just mileage alone, as it often signals misalignment of the front or rear geometry, worn suspension bushes, or fatigued coil springs that allow the camber to drift out of specification. For a prospective buyer, the brake and tyre findings demand a targeted inspection. The illuminated pad wear indicator and partially obscured pad condition recorded at the June 2026 test means a physical check of all four corners is essential, ideally with the wheels removed so that pad thickness, disc wear, and any binding caliper pistons can be assessed directly. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the front axle, and pay attention to pedal feel, as a soft or spongy pedal combined with recent pad replacement could indicate that the caliper guide pins or sliding mechanisms have seized, accelerating future wear. The inner-edge tyre wear pattern seen across several tests strongly suggests a persistent geometry issue, so request evidence of recent four-wheel alignment and inspect the lower suspension arms, anti-roll bar drop links, and rear trailing arms for perished bushes, all of which are common wear points on the B9 A4. Uneven tyre wear that returns quickly after a geometry check is a classic symptom of tired suspension components allowing the wheels to sit incorrectly. Finally, the front coolant leak flagged at the most recent test warrants prompt investigation before it develops into a more serious failure. Common sources on this generation of Audi include the water pump, thermostat housing, and the plastic coolant pipes running along the front of the engine, all of which are prone to age-related degradation. On a cold start, watch for any wisps of steam from the front of the engine bay and check the expansion bottle level after the engine is warm, topping up only with the correct Audi specification coolant to avoid long term seal damage. Also monitor the underside of the front bumper and the area beneath the radiator for fresh staining, and verify that the cooling fan is cycling correctly. Given the recurring brake and tyre failures already documented, any further deferred maintenance on the cooling system would be a poor omen for the overall mechanical trajectory of this vehicle.