2019 Audi A4 2.0L Petrol · FP69 EXR

Brake wear is the defining mechanical theme of this A4's recent MOT history, with a dangerous failure on both front and rear pads at the 2026-01-13 test followed by a pass the next day once the worn pads had been replaced. The earlier 2024 and 2022 tests returned clean results with no advisories, and the only other flagged item before the brake episode was a pair of front tyres approaching their wear bars at the 2023-12-11 test. The front and rear brake discs were noted as pitted and scored on both the failed and passed 2026 tests, indicating surface corrosion and wear on the friction faces that has developed over the service life of the current discs. While the vehicle passed at the most recent attempt on 2026-01-14, the combination of pad material worn below the 1.5 mm threshold and scored discs points to a braking system that has been used hard or left to run beyond its service interval. Annual mileage sits at roughly 7,800 miles per year across seven years, which is consistent with average private use and gives no indication of prolonged standing or unusually high accumulation. Gaps between tests are modest, with MOTs recorded in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2026, suggesting the car has been in regular road use throughout the period. This pattern of usage is sufficient to keep suspension, drivetrain and braking components working without inducing the accelerated wear associated with very high mileages, but it is not low enough to insulate consumables from normal service replacement. The wear pattern observed on the brakes therefore aligns with a vehicle driven steadily rather than one that has been neglected or abused. A prospective buyer should focus the inspection on the braking system before committing, particularly because the discs were flagged on both axles. Measure remaining pad material with a torch and check the outer edges for the backing plate nearly touching the disc, as front and rear pads were both below 1.5 mm only weeks before the most recent test. Inspect both disc faces for a pronounced lip on the outer edge and for pitting that can be felt with a fingertip; scored or lipped discs on an A4 of this mileage typically require replacement rather than machining. During the test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding under light braking and feel for vibration or shudder through the pedal, both of which would suggest the new pads have not fully bedded in against the existing scored discs or that a caliper is binding. Beyond the braking components, use the test drive to confirm the rest of the chassis is in order, as only brake and tyre items have been flagged historically. Check for knocking or clonking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, which on a B9 platform A4 commonly traces to worn control arm bushes or anti-roll bar drop links. Listen for any timing chain rattle on a cold start from the engine bay, and inspect the oil filler cap and cam cover for signs of misting, both of which are known concerns on higher-mileage 2.0 TFSI units. Finally, confirm the front tyres fitted at the 2023 test were replaced in good time rather than left to run down to the cords, and inspect all four tyres for uneven inner-edge wear that would point to a geometry issue rather than simple age-related wear.