2010 Audi Q5 2.0L Petrol · EFZ 2028

The most recent MOT, carried out on 7 April 2026, was passed but returned several advisories – notably wear on both front upper suspension arm pins or bushes, severe deterioration of the front CV‑boot seals on each side and a defective windscreen‑wiper blade. Over the last five years the record shows a pattern of recurring front CV‑boot failures, progressive suspension bush wear and a series of tyre‑related warnings that culminated in a dangerous failure in July 2023. While the vehicle has managed to pass the latest test, the trend is clearly moving towards increasing wear rather than stabilising, and several items now approach the point where corrective work will be required to avoid a future failure. At 111 759 miles recorded for a 2010 model the average annual mileage works out at roughly 7 000 miles, which sits comfortably within the normal UK usage envelope for a sixteen‑year‑old car. There are no obvious periods of unusually high mileage accumulation that would suggest severe over‑use, nor are there large gaps indicating long periods of storage. The moderate yearly mileage means the drivetrain and chassis components have not been subjected to extreme stress, but the age of the vehicle means that many wear items – bushings, boots, seals and tyres – are now driven more by calendar life than by mileage alone. A prospective buyer should give particular attention to the front CV‑boot seals; look for any grease leakage around the constant‑velocity joints, listen for a faint whine or feel a vibration when accelerating from a standstill, and verify that the boots are not cracked or torn. The suspension arm bush wear noted on both sides suggests the front control‑arm bushings may soon require replacement – a clunk or excessive play when steering over bumps would be typical symptoms. The tyre warnings from 2022 and 2023 indicate that the rear tyre was once dangerously compromised and the front tyre was close to the legal tread limit; confirm that the current tyre set is of uniform wear, free of sidewall cracks, and that the tread depth exceeds 3 mm on all four corners. The oil‑leak advisory from 2025 should be investigated by locating the source – a leaking valve cover gasket or oil filter housing can lead to low oil levels and potential engine wear if not addressed. Front brake pads were flagged as thin in 2022, so examine the pad thickness and inspect the discs for scoring or corrosion; anticipate a brake‑pad replacement in the near term if the pads are below 2 mm. Finally, replace the defective wiper blade and inspect the steering‑linkage dust cover for any ingress of dirt that could accelerate ball‑joint wear. Beyond the specific MOT items, an Audi of this age should be checked for age‑related issues: examine the 12 V battery for cranking performance and possible sulphation, inspect the coolant for proper level and colour (a pink or orange hue indicates coolant health), verify that the timing chain tensioner has been serviced according to the manufacturer’s interval, and look for any signs of under‑body corrosion, especially around the wheel arches and suspension mounting points. A full service history, with evidence of regular oil changes, filter replacements and periodic suspension inspections, will add confidence that the vehicle has been maintained in line with Audi’s recommendations and will help mitigate the inevitable wear that comes with sixteen years on the road.