2013 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · FT13 DYX

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward recurring suspension component failures as mileage increases. The most recent test in February 2026 at 197,548 miles passed despite advisories for worn nearside front inner suspension arm bushes and oil misting on the rear shock absorbers. This follows a worsening pattern of mechanical degradation seen in 2025, where the vehicle failed for a supplementary restraint system fault and excessively worn rear arm bushes. While the car continues to pass, the frequency of suspension-related defects suggests that the chassis components are under significant stress. The mileage profile is consistently high for a 13-year-old vehicle, averaging over 15,000 miles per year. There is a notable acceleration in usage between January 2022 (115,144 miles) and February 2025 (177,600 miles), where the car covered over 62,000 miles in just three years. This high-intensity use explains the accelerated wear observed on consumable rubber bushes and damping units. The gap between the 2019 and 2021 tests shows a period of lower activity, but the recent history indicates heavy long-distance use which typically stresses the drivetrain and suspension assemblies. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the front and rear suspension, as arm bushes and anti-roll bar linkages have failed or been flagged multiple times. The rear shock absorbers have shown signs of oil leakage since 2018, indicating they are nearing the end of their functional life. Particular attention should be paid to the supplementary restraint system warning lamp that triggered in 2025 to ensure the fault was properly rectified and is not recurring. Given the high mileage, an assessment of the wheel bearing play and the condition of the brake discs noted in previous years is also essential to ensure no deeper mechanical fatigue exists.