2018 Audi A5 3.0L Petrol · EG18 XCD

The 2018 Audi A5 presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 3 April 2026 at 43,448 miles passed, but the tester flagged perished inner suspension arm bushes on both front corners. This is a notable shift from the clean bill of health recorded on 3 April 2023 at 28,301 miles. The trend is not worsening in a dangerous sense, but it is deteriorating from a previously well-maintained baseline. The car has moved from zero advisories to front suspension wear and rear brake corrosion within a single three-year window, suggesting the current pace of deterioration warrants closer scrutiny. The mileage profile is unusually low for an eight-year-old vehicle. It covered just 15,147 miles between 3 April 2023 and 3 April 2026, averaging roughly 5,050 miles per year. The annual increments are consistent, with no sudden jumps or suspicious gaps in the record. Such light use typically spares high-mileage wear like clutch and turbo fatigue, but it can mask problems caused by long periods of standing, such as seized brake calipers, perished rubber bushes, and localised corrosion. The rear brake discs flagged on 3 April 2025 at 41,634 miles were described as worn, pitted, or scored, a pattern often linked to a car sitting idle rather than being driven hard. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and braking system. The inner bushes on both upper suspension arms were splitting at the most recent test, which can cause vague steering, uneven tyre wear, and knocks over bumps. Check whether these have been replaced since April 2026 or whether the wear has progressed to excessive movement. The rear braking assembly also demands attention. The tester noted corroded rear coil spring mountings and worn, pitted rear brake discs in 2025, with rear pads wearing thin at the same time. Inspect the rear calipers for binding, the disc faces for deep scoring, and the lower spring seats for structural corrosion that could compromise suspension mounting integrity. Tyre condition has been a recurring minor issue. Both rear tyres were worn close to the legal limit on 3 April 2024 at 35,376 miles, indicating either aggressive alignment, infrequent rotation, or a tendency to neglect basic upkeep. Verify the current tyre dates, tread depth across all four corners, and whether the tracking is correct. The overall record shows a car that was well cared for through 2023 but has since developed suspension and brake wear that a low-mileage lifestyle tends to accelerate. A thorough underbody inspection and a road test over varied surfaces will confirm whether these issues remain minor advisories or have progressed into costly mechanical faults.