2012 Audi A4 2.0L Diesel · FH12 SXC

A pattern of recent mechanical failures and emerging corrosion issues marks the latest stage of this vehicle's MOT history, following several years of clean certificates. While the car maintained a defect-free record between 2019 and 2025, the January 2026 test cycle revealed significant issues, including a failure for non-functional lighting and horn alongside an excessively worn nearside front suspension arm inner bush. Although these were rectified to achieve the pass on 08 January 2026, the most recent inspection also introduced an advisory regarding a corroded offside rear coil spring, indicating that structural component degradation is now becoming a factor in the vehicle's roadworthiness profile. The recorded mileage of 111,722 miles over a fourteen-year period represents an average annual accumulation of approximately 7,980 miles. This usage level is consistent with typical long-term patterns for a vehicle of this age, suggesting it has not been subjected to extreme high-mileage motorway use nor has it been left stationary for extended periods. Mechanically, this steady rate of use implies that while major drivetrain components may not have reached extreme mileage thresholds, the vehicle is at a stage where wear on consumables and suspension linkages, such as the bushes and springs recently flagged, is expected to manifest. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the front-end suspension and steering geometry during a test drive. Given the recent major failure regarding the nearside front suspension arm bush, it is essential to listen for any knocking, clunking, or creaking sounds when navigating uneven road surfaces or turning the steering wheel at low speeds. Any pulling to one side or a vague, non-linear steering response could indicate that the recent repairs have not fully addressed the wear or that other suspension components, such as ball joints or tie rod ends, are beginning to fail. Furthermore, the advisory for a corroded offside rear coil spring necessitates a physical inspection of the rear suspension area. Corrosion on a spring can lead to sudden structural failure, so the buyer should look for significant surface rust or pitting on the spring coils. During the test drive, pay attention to the rear handling characteristics; any excessive bouncing, uneven settling of the chassis after a bump, or audible metallic snapping sounds could indicate that the spring's integrity is compromised. The previous advisory regarding tyre wear on the edges in late 2023 also suggests that alignment issues may have been a historical concern, reinforcing the need to monitor tyre wear patterns closely.