2009 Audi A4 S Line 170 TDI DPF 2.0L Diesel · EXZ 7003

A high recorded mileage of 254,611 miles on a seventeen year old Audi A4 S Line 170 TDI defines this vehicle's mechanical story, with the DVSA test record showing two pass outcomes and two failures interspersed without any advisories or defect details captured. The most recent test on 9 May 2024 was a pass, but it followed a failure at the same station just sixteen days earlier, suggesting that whatever caused the earlier refusal was rectified quickly and then not recorded as an advisory on the subsequent pass. The November 2022 pair follows the same pattern, with a failure on 1 November 2022 immediately followed by a pass on 10 November 2022. Without the specific defect reasons captured on the failure notices, the precise mechanical concerns remain unverified by the official record alone, but the back-to-back test structure typically indicates that a tester identified a clear non-compliance item such as an emissions threshold breach, a braking efficiency shortfall, or a visible structural or component defect that was then addressed before the retest. The annual mileage accumulation of approximately 14,977 miles per year is notably high for a vehicle of this age, and is consistent with sustained long-distance or motorway use rather than light private running. There is a gap of roughly seventeen months between the November 2022 tests and the April 2024 retest, which could indicate a period off the road, a change of keeper, or simply delayed testing rather than any reduction in physical use. High-mileage TDI vehicles of this generation typically experience accelerated wear on dual-mass flywheels, turbocharger components, injectors, EGR valves, and suspension bushes, while diesel particulate filters used predominantly for sustained high-speed work tend to regenerate more successfully than those used for short urban trips. The combination of high annual mileage and the diesel DPF specification means the prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the condition and operating history of the emissions control system, as a clogged or over-loaded DPF is a common reason for diesel vehicles to fail the MOT smoke test. Because the failure notices do not record specific component defects, a physical inspection becomes especially important before purchase. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly on worn roads, which would indicate tired lower control arm bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, or wishbone rear bushes typical of high-mileage Audi B8 platform vehicles. Check for any pulling to one side under braking, vibration through the steering wheel, or a soft or sinking brake pedal, as the brake servo, discs, and pads will have absorbed significant wear over 254,000 miles. Allow the engine to idle from cold and watch for excessive smoke from the exhaust, particularly blue smoke indicating oil burn or thick grey smoke pointing to DPF or injector issues, and listen for any irregular ticking or knocking that could indicate injector fault or timing chain stretch on these 2.0 TDI units. Lift the bonnet and inspect the engine oil level and condition, as well as coolant colour, and look for any signs of oil leaks around the cam chain area, turbo oil feed lines, and the sump, which are common leak points on this engine at high mileage. With the vehicle raised if possible, examine the underside for corrosion on the subframe, suspension arms, brake pipes, and exhaust mounting points, as the DVSA examiner would have had cause to fail the car on visible corrosion in the structural areas. Inspect all tyres for even wear across the tread, as uneven wear can point to suspension geometry issues, and verify that the tyre size matches the specification. Finally, request any available service history and evidence of recent replacement of timing belt, dual-mass flywheel, clutch, and DPF, as these are the major-cost service items that an Audi A4 TDI of this mileage will either have recently addressed or will be approaching the point of requiring.