2017 Audi A3 2.0L Petrol · FN67 UDO

Tyre wear is the defining mechanical theme of this 2017 Audi A3, with both the most recent test on 26 April 2026 and a dangerous failure back in April 2021 flagging tread depth and edge wear. The 2026 pass was issued alongside advisories on all four tyres for being worn close to the legal limit, with the fronts noted as bald on the inner edge and the rears bald across both edges. The 2021 test recorded dangerous defects on the offside front and nearside rear for tread depth below 1.6mm, indicating that premature or uneven tyre wear has been a recurring characteristic of this vehicle rather than a one-off incident. Underlying brake wear is also visible in the record: in April 2025 the front brake pads were flagged as wearing thin with a pad warning light illuminated on the dashboard, and the April 2023 test noted that both rear brake discs were worn, pitted or scored, though not seriously weakened at that point. Minor corrosion to the rear brake hose ferrules was recorded in 2024, and a registration plate deterioration issue escalated from advisory in 2024 to a major failure in 2025 before being remedied for the 2026 pass. Mileage stands at 77,032 miles across nine years, equating to roughly 8,559 miles annually, which sits close to the typical usage rate for a vehicle of this age. There are no significant gaps in the testing record, with annual MOTs recorded from 2021 through 2026, and the consistent year-on-year attendance suggests the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for extended periods. The mileage is not exceptionally low or high, so wear patterns are likely to reflect normal progression of consumables rather than the accelerated degradation often seen on high-mileage vehicles or the dry-joint and component-seizure issues associated with prolonged standing. The clustering of tyre, brake pad and brake disc advisories is broadly in line with what would be expected at this annual mileage for a car that has covered a modest-to-average distance each year. For a prospective buyer, the priority on inspection should be the wheel geometry, given the recurring inner-edge tyre wear on the front axle. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, which can indicate worn top mounts, control arm bushes or drop link failure. Check for uneven steering pull or uneven tyre wear across the front axle by inspecting the inner and outer shoulders of the front tyres, and verify there is no excessive free play in the front wheel bearings when the wheels are rocked by hand. Examine the rear brake discs visually for lipping, corrosion pitting or scoring through the wheel spokes, and be prepared for the discs likely needing refurbishment or replacement given the 2023 advisory. The rear brake hose ferrules flagged in 2024 should be physically inspected for any white or greenish corrosion deposits, blistering of the rubber, or seepage under load, and the hoses should be checked for cracking when flexed. On test drive, apply firm and repeated pedal pressure and listen for any squeal or grinding from the brakes, paying particular attention to whether the rear calipers are binding, which can manifest as a dragging sensation or uneven handbrake response. Confirm the front brake pad warning light behaviour on the dashboard and verify pad and disc thickness directly, as the 2025 advisory indicated they were already thin. Finally, confirm that the tyres currently fitted are recent, correctly sized and matched across the axle, as the pattern of advisory-level wear across all four corners in successive tests suggests this vehicle may be prone to consuming tyres more rapidly than average.