2004 Audi A4 1.9L Diesel · DA04 FDP

The vehicle presents a questionable state of roadworthiness characterized by a history of reactive rather than preventative maintenance. While it passed its most recent test in January 2023 at 202,621 miles, this followed a failure just one day prior for critical safety issues including an SRS warning lamp fault. The trend shows recurring instability where major mechanical failures are only addressed upon failing inspection, rather than through scheduled servicing. Given that more than three years have passed since the last recorded MOT, the current mechanical condition of the vehicle is unknown and likely deteriorated significantly since the January 2023 inspection. At 202,621 miles over 22 years, the Audi has averaged approximately 9,200 miles per year, which is consistent with its age. However, there is a notable gap in recorded data between December 2020 and January 2022, where the vehicle covered over 14,000 miles in just thirteen months. This period of heavy use preceded a high volume of failures in early 2022, suggesting the vehicle was subjected to significant stress on rubber components and suspension bushings which are typical of high-mileage intervals. A buyer must scrutinise the suspension and drivetrain systems, as the record shows a history of worn anti-roll bar linkages, fractured coil springs, and split CV boots. The nearside front shock absorber was noted for misting in 2022, which indicates an ongoing failure of the damping seal. Furthermore, the rear oil leak identified in 2023 requires a physical inspection to determine if it has worsened into a more significant seal failure. The persistent fault with the SRS warning lamp from early 2023 is also a serious safety concern that must be verified to ensure the airbag deployment system is functional.