2013 Audi A5 3.0L Diesel · DW53 AJS

The 2013 Audi A5 has demonstrated a stable roadworthiness trend over the past three years, with the most recent MOT test on 11 March 2026 confirming no defects at 87,433 miles. The only anomalies in the record are two consecutive failures in early 2025—on 13 March at 85,781 miles and again on 7 March at 85,453 miles—though neither test logged specific faults, suggesting either a temporary administrative oversight or a brief period of non-compliance before the vehicle passed cleanly in March 2025 and March 2026. The absence of advisories or recurring issues in the latest passes indicates the vehicle has not experienced persistent mechanical failures, but the abrupt failures in early 2025 warrant scrutiny of whether the tester overlooked critical components or if the vehicle was temporarily out of service. The mileage progression reveals a consistent annual average of approximately 6,700 miles, which aligns with typical usage patterns for a vehicle of this age. However, the gap between the 2024 MOT at 56,914 miles (6 March 2024) and the first failure in March 2025 (85,453 miles) spans roughly 28,500 miles in under a year—a significant jump that could imply either intensive driving or a period of neglect before corrective maintenance. The subsequent tests show the vehicle was promptly brought back into compliance, suggesting the owner addressed any underlying issues promptly once identified. Given the lack of specific fault details in the 2025 failures, a buyer should prioritise an independent inspection of high-wear components that often go unnoticed in MOT tests. The suspension—particularly the rear bushes and coil springs—should be examined for excessive play or corrosion, as Audi models of this era are prone to bush deterioration over 100,000 miles. The braking system, including rear caliper binding (a common Audi issue) and front/rear disc thickness, should be checked for uneven wear or corrosion, especially if the vehicle was driven hard between services. Additionally, the subframe and sills should be inspected for structural rust, as the A5’s underbody is susceptible to salt corrosion in older examples. The exhaust system and catalytic converter should also be verified for leaks or excessive rust, particularly if the vehicle was driven in winter conditions. The absence of advisories in recent tests does not preclude these areas from requiring attention.