2018 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · C9 SMD

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance history reveals a trend of reactive rather than proactive upkeep. While the most recent test in July 2025 at 52,049 miles passed without failures, it highlighted advisories for both front tyres reaching the legal limit. This follows a period of mechanical instability in mid-2024 where the car failed two consecutive tests due to deteriorating suspension and steering components before being brought into compliance. At 52,049 miles over eight years, the Audi has averaged approximately 6,500 miles per year, which is consistent with lower-average UK usage for this vehicle class. However, the data shows a significant spike in activity between June 2023 at 32,396 miles and August 2024 at 42,055 miles, representing nearly 10,000 miles covered in just thirteen months. This burst of use likely correlates with the accelerated wear seen on the rubber bushes and ball joints recorded during that specific period. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front suspension geometry and steering linkage. The record specifically flags recurring issues with the nearside front upper suspension arm bushes and the offside front track rod end dust cover. Because these components were identified as failing in 2024, you should check for any remaining cracking in the rubber or excessive play in the joints to ensure the previous repairs were comprehensive. The recent advisories for worn front tyres in July 2025 also suggest potential alignment issues or worn shock absorbers that are causing uneven tyre wear. Given the history of suspension failures, it is essential to verify that the vehicle does not pull and that the current tyres are not exhibiting premature edge wear. The vehicle appears to have been maintained by addressing faults only when they triggered an MOT failure, necessitates a careful check of the service history for routine fluid intervals.