2017 Audi A3 2.0L Diesel · FD17 MFN

The vehicle passed its most recent MOT test on 8 December 2025, though four advisories were recorded at that time. The trend over the last three tests is broadly stable in terms of outright pass results, with no failures since December 2024, but the advisory profile is becoming more populated rather than clearing up. The 2024 failure, which centred on a deep sidewall cut exposing the tyre cords and a tyre pressure monitoring system malfunction, was rectified before the 2025 pass, and the 2022 test had previously flagged nearside rear and offside front tyre wear issues alongside a nail in the nearside rear tyre. The recurring appearance of front and rear tyre wear across multiple test dates suggests that tyre condition and replacement intervals are an ongoing area of attention for this car. With 82,799 miles on the odometer over approximately nine years, this Audi A3 is averaging around 9,200 miles per year, which is broadly typical for its age and not suggestive of either severe long-distance use or extended periods of standing. Mileage accumulation has been steady and consistent across the MOT history, which makes interpreting wear patterns more straightforward and reduces the likelihood of issues such as seized brake calipers, perished coolant hoses, or heavy corrosion from inactivity. However, at this combined age and mileage, the vehicle is approaching the stage where original suspension, drivetrain mounts, and clutch or dual-mass flywheel components begin to show meaningful wear, and routine servicing of timing belts, water pumps, and automatic transmission fluid becomes critical. The advisory items recorded at the 2025 MOT warrant close physical inspection prior to purchase. Light oil misting on the nearside front, nearside rear, and offside rear shock absorbers indicates that the hydraulic fluid seals within the dampers are beginning to degrade, which is a common wear pattern on higher-mileage Audi A3s. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the suspension over bumps, watch for excessive body roll through corners, and check for uneven scuffing patterns across the tread of the tyres, which would suggest the dampers are no longer keeping the contact patch flat. Given that three of the four shocks are showing the same symptom, replacement of the full rear axle set and possibly the front strut assembly may be advisable within the next service interval. The two rear tyre advisories noting wear close to the legal limit, edge wear, castellated tread pattern, and sidewall damage mean replacement of at least the rear axle tyres is essential and should be carried out before the next MOT. Beyond the recorded defects, a prospective buyer should carry out the usual age-and-mileage checks expected of a nine-year-old Audi. Inspect all four tyre sidewalls closely for cracking or perishing from age, even on the front pair which were not flagged, as rubber degrades with calendar age irrespective of tread depth. Examine the 12V battery for any signs of slow cranking, as the original unit will be long past its expected service life, and verify that the tyre pressure monitoring system sensors in the wheels are functional, particularly since a fault was flagged at the 2024 test. Check for any signs of brake disc corrosion on the rear hubs, especially given typical UK weather exposure, and confirm the caliper sliders move freely. Finally, verify the service book history to ensure that age-sensitive items such as brake fluid (typically every two years), coolant (every four to five years), and the cam belt and water pump replacement schedule appropriate to the engine variant have been carried out to schedule.