2017 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · GD17 MHO

The most recent DVSA MOT test dated 9 December 2025 resulted in a pass, although the same date also records a prior failed attempt. The overall maintenance trend across the available history suggests a vehicle that has been conscientiously presented for testing but is showing progressive wear in several key areas. In 2023 the car recorded both a dangerous tyre defect and a major coil spring failure, alongside tyre perishing advisories, which represented a serious safety finding at that time. By 2024 the advisories shifted towards thinning brake pads and the emergence of front upper suspension arm bush wear, and in 2025 the suspension bush wear is repeated on both sides alongside multiple tyres worn close to the legal limit. The repetition of suspension advisories across three consecutive tests is a clear indicator that the front suspension geometry components are degrading progressively rather than having been rectified. With 63,066 miles recorded over approximately nine years, the vehicle is accumulating around 7,000 miles per year, which is broadly typical for its age and segment. There is no evidence in the supplied records of unusually large gaps or rapid mileage accumulation, suggesting consistent use rather than long periods of standing. This usage pattern is generally favourable because it implies regular exercising of mechanical components, including the braking system, drivetrain, and exhaust, though the mileage itself is now sufficient to warrant inspection of higher-wear items such as the timing chain service, turbocharger actuator, dual-clutch automatic mechatronics, and rear differential output seals if the vehicle is so equipped. Audis of this generation are also known for oil consumption issues as mileage increases, so verifying the oil level and recent service history is worthwhile. The recurring advisories on the front upper suspension arm inner bushes should be a primary focus for any prospective buyer. These components control the position of the front wheels relative to the body and, when worn, typically produce clonking or knocking noises over speed humps, uneven or feathered tyre wear across the front axle, and vague or wandering steering behaviour. Because the advisories are present on both nearside and offside and have now appeared across multiple tests, replacement of the front suspension arms or the inner bush kit is likely imminent and should be costed into any purchase decision. The fractured rear coil spring recorded as a major defect in 2023 should also be verified as having been replaced; if the replacement spring or quality of repair is in doubt, a bouncy or uneven ride height, particularly over the rear axle, would be a telling symptom on a road test. A thorough inspection of all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking is also advisable, given the perishing advisory noted in 2023 and the low remaining tread depths recorded in late 2025. Brake condition warrants attention in light of the 2024 advisories on both front and rear pads. Although no further brake warnings appear in 2025, pad wear on this vehicle is typically linked to disc condition, so the buyer should check the front and rear brake discs for lipping, scoring, or corrosion pitting, particularly around the outer edge. Binding calipers from standing can be detected on a test drive by a pulling sensation under gentle braking or excessive heat emanating from a wheel after driving. Given the calendar age of the vehicle, it is also prudent to verify the condition and age of the 12V battery, as nine years is well beyond typical service life and a weak battery can produce a cascade of electrical faults on late-model Audi platforms. Finally, regardless of mileage, time-based servicing items should be confirmed: brake fluid should be renewed every two years to prevent internal corrosion of the ABS modulator, coolant should be checked for concentration and renewed on a calendar basis, and the automatic transmission fluid should be inspected for colour and smell, as Audi's dual-clutch and conventional automatics can suffer from degraded fluid performance long before any mechanical failure becomes apparent.