2017 Audi A8 3.0L Diesel · GF17 FDM

A clear pattern of suspension wear and rear brake deterioration dominates the mechanical history of this 2017 Audi A8, suggesting that the underpinnings are now entering a phase where proactive replacement is prudent rather than optional. The most recent test on 14 April 2026 returned a Pass with advisories, but it was conducted only one day after a Fail on 13 April 2026, where examiners recorded a tyre cut deep enough to expose the ply or cords on the offside rear together with a bald inner edge, a nearside rear tyre worn on its inner edge, and a Major defect for an excessively worn rear arm bush on the nearside front suspension. That the vehicle passed immediately the following day indicates the failed items were addressed quickly, but the fact that a rear brake disc advisory for pitting and scoring has appeared on every recorded test since 2024, and a nearside rear tyre edge wear advisory was logged alongside the failure, points to a chronic issue rather than a one-off. Suspension arm bush wear was also flagged as an advisory on both front lower arms in April 2025, only twelve months before the nearside bush deteriorated to Major failure status, suggesting progressive wear that has now reached a serviceable threshold. Against an age of nine years, the recorded 84,320 miles equates to roughly 9,369 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a luxury saloon of this type and indicates reasonably regular use rather than long periods of standing. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record to suggest extended off-road periods, with annual tests documented consistently from 2020 onwards, and mileage progression between tests appears steady. The 2021 test noted under trays, engine bay covers and a dash cam obstructing inspection, plus an absence of measurable emissions during the free acceleration test, which is not unusual for a vehicle of this specification but does mean certain components such as brake and fuel lines cannot be fully visually inspected without removal of those covers. A prospective buyer should focus on the condition of the front suspension, particularly the rear bushes on both lower arms, as the record shows advisories in 2025 escalating to a Major in 2026. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps, broken road surfaces and during full-lock low-speed manoeuvres, and feel for vagueness through the centre of the steering wheel or any rearward shuffling of the front wheels under hard braking. Pay close attention to the rear brake discs, which have been flagged as pitted and scored for three consecutive years; on the road, expect to detect any judder through the brake pedal or a pulsing sensation under sustained deceleration, and check visually for a pronounced lip on the disc edge and any blueing from heat. Inspect all four tyres for inner-edge wear, particularly the rears, as the record shows this issue twice in quick succession, and verify that replacement tyres are of matching size and load rating on each axle, since uneven inner-edge wear can point to alignment or suspension geometry deviations. A useful physical check is to place the car on a ramp or use a torch beneath the engine bay with the under trays removed to inspect the front subframe, control arms and anti-roll bar drop links for any fluid weeping from bushes or perished rubber, and to examine the rear brake calipers for binding or uneven pad wear given the recurring disc advisories. Confirm that recent work has addressed the failed suspension bush and tyres by requesting invoices, and ask whether all four rear brake discs and pads were replaced together rather than just the items flagged. Finally, verify that the rear registration plate deterioration noted at the latest test has been remedied, and ensure all dashboard items are removed prior to any future test to avoid the kind of obstruction advisory seen in 2021.