2019 Audi Q8 3.0L Diesel · GG66 ARM

A clear front-suspension wear pattern sits at the centre of this Q8's MOT record, with a serious tyre failure in February 2023 and three suspension advisories raised across the same test that ultimately passed four days later. Both lower suspension arm ball joints were flagged for slight play, with the nearside component also showing early corrosion on its dust cover, and an upper arm pin or bush on the nearside was noted as worn though not yet at excessive movement thresholds. The most recent assessment on 17 February 2025 returned a clean pass with no advisories, which is a positive development on the surface, but the 2023 cluster demonstrates that the front-end geometry, in particular the wishbones, ball joints, and upper arm bushes, is a known wear area for this vehicle and should not be assumed resolved purely on the strength of two subsequent defect-free tests. No corrosion, brake, exhaust, or structural items have been recorded across any of the five tests, which leaves the suspension components as the principal recorded mechanical concern. Annual mileage of roughly 8,484 miles is broadly in line with expectations for a seven-year-old Q8, indicating neither prolonged standing nor particularly hard service, and the recorded odometer readings show steady, consistent accumulation between tests rather than any sudden jumps or anomalies. This kind of usage tends to produce even wear across drivetrain and brake components rather than the uneven loading patterns seen on vehicles used for short, cold starts only or long-distance high-speed running. The gap between the March 2022 pass and the February 2023 test is the only meaningful interval of note, falling just inside the standard twelve-month MOT cycle, and there are no multi-year absences from the record that would raise concerns about seized brakes, perished fuel lines, or stale fluids through extended inactivity. The tyre-related failure in early 2023 does, however, underline that tyre condition on a test day is highly variable and should not be taken as a guide to current rubber on any inspection. A prospective buyer should treat the front suspension as the primary area for physical inspection, paying particular attention to the lower wishbone ball joints and the upper arm bushes previously flagged on the nearside. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven tarmac, and driveway kerbs, as these typically betray worn ball joints or top mounts before any perceptible movement can be felt through the steering. With the engine running and the vehicle stationary, have an assistant rock the steering wheel slightly while you watch for any juddering or visible play at the front wheels, and carry out a slow-turn left-then-right manoeuvre in a quiet car park to detect any rubbing, clicking, or reluctance that points to binding or worn suspension linkages. Brake pedal feel should be firm and consistent, with no vibration or pulling under firm application that might indicate warped front discs, particularly given that the Q8's mass places sustained demand on the front braking system. Given the documented lower arm ball joint play in 2023, it is also worth jacking the front of the vehicle and checking for any vertical or horizontal free play at the wheel hub by hand, as well as inspecting the upper arm bushes for splitting or perished rubber. Under-bonnet inspection should include the coolant and oil seals for any signs of weeping, and a thorough check underneath for any corrosion on the subframe, suspension arms, or brake line clips that may not yet have reached MOT failure thresholds but would be relevant on a four-wheel-drive premium SUV of this age. Finally, confirm the age of the current tyres and ensure they match across the axles, as the 2023 dangerous failure for exposed ply and structural tearing is a reminder that even a vehicle with an otherwise unremarkable test record can present serious tyre condition between annual tests.