2012 Audi A4 2.0L Diesel · FT61 WJM

This Audi A4 presents a history dominated by typical age-related wear on chassis consumables, transitioning from clean annual runs to clustered braking and tyre advisories, culminating in a structural suspension failure. The vehicle secured its latest MOT pass on 17 February 2026 with no defects recorded, which immediately followed a failure on the previous day due to a fractured offside front coil spring. This pattern indicates a vehicle that has reached a mileage and age where heavy chassis components and braking systems are actively fatiguing, requiring targeted mechanical intervention to maintain roadworthiness. Accumulating 107,431 miles over approximately 14 years equates to an average of around 7,674 miles per year, representing a highly typical and consistent UK driving profile. This steady accumulation suggests regular, ongoing use rather than prolonged periods of damp, stationary storage, which helps mitigate the risk of seized brake calipers or deep structural rot. However, crossing the 100,000-mile threshold on this platform means that original factory suspension bushes, dampers, and drivetrain mounts are likely approaching the end of their service life, regardless of the clean test sheet. A prospective buyer must closely scrutinise the braking system and tyres, which were subjects of repeated advisories in 2023 and 2024. Although the vehicle passed its 2025 and 2026 tests without advisories, indicating some level of maintenance has occurred, it is vital to verify the quality of these repairs. On a test drive, pay close attention to any pulsation or judder through the brake pedal under load, which would indicate warped or unevenly worn discs, and listen for any grinding noises from the rear. Inspect the rear tyres for even tread wear across the width of the tyre; the previous advisories noted wear on the edges and cracking, which can point to underlying wheel alignment issues or aged rubber compounds. The recent failure of the offside front coil spring highlights the vulnerability of the front suspension assembly on this generation of Audi A4. When a coil spring fractures, it is standard industry practice to replace them in axle pairs to maintain balanced handling and ride height; a buyer should confirm if the nearside front spring was also replaced alongside the failed offside unit. During the road test, drive over uneven surfaces and speed bumps while listening for metallic clunking, knocking, or creaking from the front suspension, which would suggest worn control arm bushes or failing anti-roll bar links. Additionally, check for any steering pull or an off-centre steering wheel, which often occurs after front-end suspension work if a full four-wheel alignment was not performed.