2019 Audi A4 2.0L Petrol · FX19 FSK

A pattern of chronic rear tyre wear combined with escalating rear suspension corrosion dominates the mechanical profile of this 2019 Audi A4. The 2026-02-18 test produced a clean pass with no advisories, but this should be read against the preceding January 2025 history, where a dangerous failure was recorded for both rear tyres falling below the 1.6mm tread threshold alongside major defects for corroded and seriously weakened rear suspension rubber spring mounts on both sides. The 2025-01-24 retest passed without recorded defects, suggesting replacement components, yet the underlying corrosion noted in the 2024 advisory, where both rear coil spring mountings were flagged as corroded, indicates a progressive deterioration that the sil test result alone does not resolve. The earlier 2023 dangerous failure for both rear tyres being below 1.6mm confirms a recurring rear-axle wear pattern rather than an isolated event, and the 2022 advisories for nearside and offside tyres worn close to the legal limit reinforce that the rear tyres have demanded attention at every annual cycle. With 97,420 recorded miles against an age of approximately seven years, the vehicle has accumulated around 13,917 miles annually, a figure well above the average mileage expected for a car of this age. This sustained rate of use places greater mechanical demand on consumable items, suspension components, braking hardware and drivetrain parts than a lower-mileage equivalent would experience. There are no multi-year gaps in the MOT record, so the mileage accumulation appears continuous rather than interrupted by extended periods off the road. The high annual mileage is consistent with the observed pattern of tyre wear and suspension component fatigue, and it should inform expectations that certain parts may be approaching or have recently exceeded typical service intervals. Prospective buyers should treat the rear axle as the priority inspection area. The 2025 major defects identified both rubber spring mounts as corroded and seriously weakened, and although the subsequent pass did not flag them, the rubber-to-metal bonding in these mounts commonly deteriorates further with age and mileage. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over uneven surfaces, particularly over speed bumps and potholes, and feel for any vagueness or secondary impacts through the rear suspension. With the vehicle raised, inspect the rear spring seats and mounting plates for surface corrosion, paying close attention to the nearside and offside lower suspension brackets where the previous failures were recorded. Any visible flaking, section loss, or distortion around these areas would warrant a structural assessment. The tyre wear pattern itself warrants scrutiny beyond simple tread depth checks. Both rear tyres have been flagged at dangerously low tread depths or as edge-worn in successive tests, suggesting either persistent under-inflation, rear wheel alignment irregularities, or accelerated wear linked to the compromised suspension geometry. On inspection, verify that the rear tyres are a matched pair of the correct size and load rating, and check the sidewalls for uneven shoulder wear or feathering. The 2024 advisory noted rear brake pads as wearing thin, so the brake system should be evaluated for remaining pad material, disc condition and caliper slide pin operation. Finally, given the sustained high-mileage use, a mechanical inspection covering the clutch or automatic transmission service history, timing chain condition on the appropriate engine variant, and any oil leaks from the engine or gearbox would be prudent to complement the documented MOT findings.