2018 Audi Q5 3.0L Petrol · E1 FSR

A pattern of wear-related advisories is beginning to emerge on this Q5 after five consecutive passes, with the 2025 test at 63,404 miles flagging three component-specific concerns that any prospective buyer should treat as the defining mechanical story. The front brake discs were noted as worn, pitted or scored (though not yet seriously weakened), and both front lower suspension arm rear bushes were identified as worn on the nearside and offside. Two clean passes in 2023 and 2024 bracket this 2025 advisory cluster, so there is no historical failure on record and no escalation into a fail category, but the simultaneous appearance of wear items across both front corners suggests the vehicle is now entering the natural mid-life service window for a vehicle of this age and type. The trend is one of stable roadworthiness that is beginning to require component-level attention rather than a sudden deterioration. Recorded mileage of 63,404 miles across an eight-year life equates to roughly 7,900 miles annually, which sits in a broadly typical band for a premium SUV of this vintage and points to steady, mixed-use running rather than prolonged lay-ups or exceptionally heavy motorway work. The MOT history itself shows consistent annual testing from 2021 through 2025 with no missing years, confirming the vehicle has remained in active use throughout this period. There are no anomalous mileage jumps between tests that would suggest clock irregularity or extended storage, and the gradual accumulation aligns with the wear pattern observed in the latest test results. Mechanically, this usage profile tends to keep consumables such as brake fluid, coolant and drive belts within reasonable service intervals, while suspension components and brake friction materials will accumulate fatigue at a predictable rate, exactly as reflected by the 2025 advisories. The front brake disc advisory is the most pressing inspection point at the current odometer reading, as pitted or scored discs on a Q5 of this age commonly point to worn pads running close to or beyond their service life. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squeal or squeak from the front wheels under light braking, and feel carefully through the pedal for vibration, judder or a pulsing sensation under sustained deceleration, any of which would indicate the disc wear has progressed beyond what is recorded. Measure remaining pad material against the backing plate and inspect the disc surface and outer edge for a pronounced lip, which confirms prolonged pad wear. Because the discs are likely to be replaced alongside the pads at this mileage, factor in the cost of a matched front axle refresh. The dual front lower suspension arm bush advisories are equally important to evaluate closely, as worn rear bushes on the lower control arms can introduce vague steering, a wandering sensation at speed, or knocking noises over uneven surfaces. During a road test, pay particular attention to clunks or thunking sounds from the front end when traversing speed humps, driveway kerbs or potholes, and check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle, particularly on the inner or outer shoulders, which is a classic symptom of compromised bush geometry. With the vehicle unloaded, a technician should be able to confirm any free play or movement by levering the arms. Given that both sides are flagged simultaneously, replacement of both lower arm assemblies is a realistic near-term probability, and these advisories should be treated as the primary negotiating point when assessing the vehicle's value.