2018 Audi Q3 1.4L Petrol · DB07 COT

A pattern of front-end wear has emerged across the MOT record of this 2018 Audi Q3, with suspension, braking, and tyre defects surfacing repeatedly even on tests the vehicle passed outright. The most recent outcome on 11 May 2026 was a clean pass with no advisories, but this sits only three days after a failure on 8 May 2026, which is unusual and worth noting. That failure was driven by a fractured nearside front coil spring classified as Major, a dangerous nearside front tyre with tread below the legal 1.6mm limit, and advisories for an offside front tyre worn on its edge, pitted rear brake discs, and thinning rear brake pads. Earlier entries show the same front axle cropping up: in May 2025 the front brake discs were noted as pitted on both sides, and in June 2023 both nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes were flagged as worn. Together these entries point to consistent loading on the front suspension and braking components rather than isolated faults, even though intervening tests in 2022 and 2024 came back clean. The recorded mileage of 97,210 miles over approximately eight years equates to an annual accumulation of around 12,150 miles, which is higher than typical for a car of this age and segment. There are no extended gaps in the testing record, and the mileage progression between successive tests is consistent with regular use, suggesting the vehicle has been in steady service rather than left standing. Mechanically, this higher mileage profile aligns with the wear pattern seen in the MOT history. Suspension components, coil springs, brake discs, pads, and tyres are all consumables that degrade predictably with mileage, and the frequency with which these items have been flagged over the past five tests is consistent with a vehicle that has covered substantial distance on typical UK roads. Buyers should therefore expect further attention to the front axle within the next service interval, particularly given the recent coil spring failure. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension, as a fractured coil spring on the nearside has just been replaced or will need replacing, and the opposite side often follows shortly after on high-mileage examples. Listen for clonks, knocking, or a dull crash over speed humps and uneven B-road surfaces, which would indicate worn suspension arm bushes as flagged in 2023, and check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle that could point to the bushes allowing excess movement. Inspect both front tyres closely for uneven shoulder wear or feathering, as the 2026 failure recorded edge wear on the offside and dangerous wear on the nearside, and confirm any replacement tyres are a matching size and load rating. Jack the vehicle if possible and check for any play in the front suspension arms, droplinks, and anti-roll bar mountings. For the braking system, the 2025 advisory on pitted front discs and the 2026 advisories on pitted rear discs plus thin rear pads indicate that further brake work is likely due. On a test drive, feel for vibration or judder through the steering wheel or brake pedal under firm stopping, which is the typical symptom of worn or corroded disc surfaces, and listen for any grinding or squealing that could suggest pads running low on material. Confirm the handbrake holds the vehicle firmly on a slope, as rear calipers can begin to bind with age and high mileage, leading to uneven braking or overheating rear discs. Finally, given the mileage, it is sensible to inspect the underside for any corrosion to brake pipes, subframe, and suspension mounting points, and to verify that the oil and transmission fluids are at correct levels, as these service items are not recorded in the MOT file but become increasingly relevant at this level of use.