2012 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · DN62 TWD

A persistent front suspension wear pattern dominates the recorded history of this 2012 Audi A5, with ball joint dust covers and upper arm pins/bushes repeatedly flagged across multiple tests. The earliest recorded entry from 2015 shows only minor items, but by 2018 both nearside and offside front lower arm pins/bushes were noted as worn, a finding that recurred alongside deteriorating ball joint dust covers in 2019 and again in both the 2020 and 2022 tests. The most recent MOT on 2022-01-15 was recorded as a pass with a Minor for the nearside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, indicating that although the test outcome was satisfactory, the deterioration pattern has not been resolved and the component is likely approaching the threshold where replacement becomes mandatory rather than advisory. The 2018-06-16 failed test also warrants attention, with a Dangerous defect recorded against the central exhaust silencer sleeve which was likely to become detached, alongside Major defects for the offside headlamp failing on both dipped and main beam, and an advisory for the front brake pads wearing thin. The recorded mileage of 161,577 miles across approximately ten years of testing places this vehicle firmly in high-mileage territory, with an average annual accumulation of roughly 11,500 to 12,000 miles per year based on the span from the 2015 test to the 2022 record. There are no obvious extended lay-up gaps in the testing history, which suggests reasonably consistent use rather than prolonged periods of standing. This level of sustained mileage on a fourteen-year-old Audi A5 is consistent with motorway or long-commute use, and mechanically this typically translates to greater wear on suspension components, brake discs and pads, drivetrain mounts, and engine ancillaries than would be seen on a lower-mileage example of the same age. The repeat advisories on the same suspension components support the interpretation that wear items are being monitored rather than proactively replaced. Given the recurring advisories on the front upper and lower suspension arm pins, bushes, and ball joint dust covers, a prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough physical inspection of the front end with the vehicle raised. Press and twist the front wheels with the car on the ground to check for free play at the hubs, and listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension when driving slowly over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, or pothole edges. The dust cover deterioration flagged in 2020 and 2022 indicates that the rubber boots protecting the ball joints are splitting or perished, which allows water and grit ingress and accelerates joint wear, so visually inspect the boots for splits, grease leakage, or rust staining around the joint itself. Any play felt or knocking heard during the test drive should be treated as immediate grounds for negotiation on price, as replacement of both front control arm bushings and ball joints on an A5 is a significant labour-intensive job. The 2018 exhaust and headlamp failures, while historical, are also worth a brief functional check during inspection. Confirm that both headlamps operate correctly on dipped and main beam settings, and during a cold start listen for any rattles, blowing sounds, or metallic vibration from the exhaust that could indicate a deteriorating silencer sleeve or corroded mounting rubbers, particularly around the central section where the 2018 defect was recorded. The 2018 brake pad advisory suggests the front discs and pads have been subject to regular replacement cycles, so verify the current pad material thickness and inspect the front discs for lipping, scoring, or corrosion pitting around the outer edge. Finally, request that the seller confirm when the front suspension arms were last replaced, as the four-year continuity of advisories on these components strongly suggests they have not yet been addressed.