2009 Audi A5 2.0L Petrol · E11 SAM

The vehicle presents a stable and improving maintenance trend as of its most recent test. The May 2026 MOT at 81,059 miles passed completely clean with zero defects recorded. This is a significant turnaround from the advisory-heavy tests of previous years, indicating the previous owner has addressed several long-standing mechanical issues. The 2024 test at 77,066 miles flagged a corroded offside rear coil spring and worn front suspension bushes, yet these did not appear as failures or advisories in the subsequent 2025 or 2026 tests, suggesting replacement work was carried out. The pattern shows a vehicle that was neglected around 2022 to 2024 but has since received targeted attention to bring it up to a solid standard. The mileage profile tells a clear story of very light use. At roughly 4,768 miles per year over 17 years, this is substantially below the UK average. The annual increments are consistent, showing no sudden spikes or suspicious gaps that would hint at a rolled-back odometer. Between the January 2023 test at 74,721 miles and the February 2024 test at 77,066 miles, the car covered 2,345 miles in just over 12 months. The 2025 test at 79,849 miles shows 2,783 miles added in 14 months, and the final 1,210 miles between April 2025 and May 2026 confirms the car is now being driven sparingly. Low annual mileage is not inherently a benefit. Vehicles left standing for extended periods can develop flat-spotted tyres, corroded brake discs, seized calipers, and dried-out rubber bushes, all of which this car has experienced and subsequently had rectified. Despite the clean 2026 result, a buyer should still inspect the undercarriage carefully. The February 2024 advisory for a corroded offside rear coil spring lower coil raises a structural concern. Even if the spring was replaced, the surrounding rear suspension mounting points, subframe, and anti-roll bar links in that area should be checked for related corrosion, particularly on a 17-year-old Audi A5 where salt exposure over time can compromise structural integrity beyond the component that was swapped. The same test flagged a minor exhaust gas leak, so the exhaust system, especially flexi-joints and manifold gaskets, deserves a physical inspection for heat damage or fresh staining. The front suspension and braking system have shown recurring wear patterns that warrant hands-on checks. Between 2022 and 2024, advisories appeared for worn suspension arm bushes, slight ball joint play, and soft shock absorbers on both axles. While these were not flagged in the 2026 test, a test drive over uneven surfaces will reveal whether the lower arms, track rod ends, and dampers have been genuinely replaced or simply masked by a fresh MOT. The rear brake discs were noted as worn and corroded in 2022, and the offside rear tyre showed sidewall damage and a nail puncture in 2024. A buyer should verify the condition of the rear braking components and check all four tyre sidewalls for age-related cracking, as tyres from 2022 or earlier may now be perished regardless of remaining tread depth.