2009 Audi A4 2.0L Petrol · FD58 HHC

The most recent DVSA examination on 3 November 2025 resulted in a Pass, however the same date carries a recorded Fail which preceded a retest on the same day. The failure items concerned nearside and offside front tyres each having cuts in excess of the permitted depth, exposing the ply or cords, which represents an immediate safety risk irrespective of remaining tread. Advisories were also issued for both front brake discs showing pitting and scoring. Looking across the full MOT history, the maintenance trajectory is decidedly mixed and shows a pattern of recurring wear rather than genuine rectification. Advisories relating to front brake discs, rear brake hose ferrules, rear coil spring corrosion, and front suspension components have appeared repeatedly year on year, with a particularly concerning failure in October 2021 involving a split brake servo pipe, failed ball joint dust covers on both lower front arms, and an excessively worn upper rear arm pin or bush. The repeated front tyre cut failures and advisories also suggest this vehicle is being driven on marginal tyres that are either ageing, under-inflated, or being subjected to kerb contact. With 141,316 miles accumulated over approximately seventeen years, the vehicle averages around 8,300 miles annually, which is broadly typical for its age bracket and suggests reasonably consistent use rather than prolonged standing. There is no evidence of large gaps between recorded mileages, indicating that wear-related degradation is progressive rather than the consequence of long inactive periods. For an Audi A4 of this vintage and mileage, the principal mechanical concerns relate to the cumulative effect of sustained road use on the braking system, front suspension geometry, and rear spring and damper assemblies, all of which are already showing documented deterioration. A prospective buyer should treat the front brake discs as a near-term replacement item. The pitting and scoring recorded on both sides in November 2025 will continue to deepen, producing brake shudder under heavy application, extended stopping distances, and accelerated pad wear. During a test drive, listen for vibration through the pedal or steering wheel when braking from higher speeds, and inspect both the disc surfaces and pad material thickness directly. The recurring rear brake hose corrosion and ferrule deterioration noted in 2022, 2023, and 2024 should prompt a careful inspection of all four flexible brake hoses for surface cracking, bulging under pressure, or weeping at the unions, as perished hoses will fail under braking load. The rear coil spring corrosion advisories dating back to 2023 are particularly significant on a vehicle of this age; corroded springs can fracture without warning, so a thorough examination from beneath the vehicle for any surface pitting that has progressed into cracks is essential, accompanied by a test over uneven road surfaces listening for any rear suspension noise. The front suspension failures from 2021 regarding both lower arm ball joint dust covers and the upper rear arm bush warrant direct verification. Ball joint dust covers that have failed allow water and grit to enter the joint, accelerating wear, so the buyer should grasp each front wheel at nine and three o clock and rock firmly to detect any play or clonking. Similarly, the upper rear arm bush should be checked for free movement when force is applied. The rear shock absorbers showing reduced damping effect from the 2024 advisory will compromise ride control and tyre contact over undulating surfaces, so pay attention to excessive bounce after compressing the rear of the vehicle. Given the repeated front tyre failures and perishing advisories across multiple years, a careful sidewall inspection of all four tyres for cracking, cuts, and bulges is critical regardless of tread depth. Beyond the MOT findings, age-appropriate items deserve close attention, including a 12V battery health check given the vehicle is seventeen years old, verification of the cambelt and timing belt service history as appropriate to engine variant, brake fluid replacement which should occur every two years regardless of mileage, coolant condition, and a thorough inspection for oil leaks from the cam chain tensioner and turbo oil lines which are known concerns on higher mileage Audi A4 petrol and diesel units.