2010 Audi A3 2.0L Diesel · FG10 LRE

The 2010 Audi A3 passed its most recent MOT on 14 March 2026 at 253,820 miles, but the maintenance trend is gradually worsening. The March 2026 test flagged front tyres worn close to the legal limit on both edges and front brake discs worn on both sides. This marks a clear departure from the clean passes recorded in 2022 and 2023. While none of the defects are dangerous, the pattern shows a vehicle that is now accumulating advisories year on year rather than resolving them between tests. The 2024 test at 242,302 miles flagged worn front lower suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides, and by 2025 at 249,303 miles the rear tyres were worn to the legal limit on both edges. These are not isolated consumable replacements. They suggest a car that has been driven hard and maintained reactively rather than preventively. At roughly 15,864 miles per year, this A3 has been driven well above the typical UK average for a 16-year-old vehicle. The mileage accumulation has been steady and consistent, with no long gaps in the MOT record to suggest periods of lay-up. Between February 2022 and March 2026, the car covered approximately 25,368 miles in just over four years, confirming sustained high use. That level of annual mileage places significant stress on suspension bushes, brake components, drivetrain mounts, and exhaust systems, all of which degrade faster under constant load and distance. A prospective buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension and braking system during any in-person inspection. The recurring advisories on front lower suspension arm bushes and front brake discs point to components that may now be past the advisory stage and approaching outright failure. Check for play in the front wheels, uneven tyre wear patterns, and any knocking or clunking over speed bumps. The rear tyres flagged in 2025 also warrant inspection, as edge wear on both sides can indicate worn rear suspension bushes or misaligned tracking. Given the mileage and the trajectory of defects, a thorough underbody inspection for corrosion, particularly on subframes, suspension mounting points, and brake lines, is strongly advisable. This is a high-mileage car that has been worked hard, and the MOT record suggests its upkeep has been minimal rather than meticulous.