2008 Audi A5 1.8L Petrol · GJ58 VKA

The 2008 Audi A5 is currently roadworthy, having passed its MOT on 11 May 2026 at 215,700 miles with zero defects recorded. That clean result is significant because it follows a failed test on the same day, where the tester flagged a non-functioning offside headlamp and an offside rear tyre worn below the 1.6mm legal minimum. Both items were evidently rectified before the pass was issued, suggesting the seller addressed the immediate failures. The broader maintenance trend is broadly stable, though not without blemish. The 2025 test cycle revealed more concerning mechanical issues, including excessively worn lower suspension arm pins or bushes on both front corners and an excessive engine oil leak, all of which were resolved ahead of the pass on 22 May 2025 at 202,619 miles. A clean pass followed in June 2024 at 193,712 miles. There is no evidence of a worsening trajectory, but the suspension wear and oil leak in 2025 indicate that aging components have required attention, which is expected at this mileage. The vehicle has covered 215,700 miles over roughly eighteen years, averaging approximately 11,983 miles per year. That figure sits within a typical range for a car of this age and does not raise immediate concern about excessive use or suspiciously low recorded mileage. The progression from 193,712 miles in June 2024 to 202,619 miles in May 2025 represents approximately 8,907 miles over eleven months, a moderate and unremarkable rate of accumulation. The jump to 215,700 miles by May 2026 adds a further 13,081 miles in roughly twelve months, which is slightly higher but still within normal parameters for a vehicle being used regularly. There are no alarming gaps or sudden spikes in the odometer record that would suggest tampering or prolonged periods of disuse. A buyer should focus their physical inspection on the front suspension and engine area, given the 2025 advisories. The nearside and offside lower suspension arm pins or bushes were flagged as excessively worn, and while these have since been addressed, it is worth checking for any uneven tyre wear, clunking over rough surfaces, or vague steering that could indicate the replacement parts are themselves settling or that related components such as track rod ends and drop links have not been attended to. The excessive engine oil leak noted in the same test warrants a close look at the engine bay and under the car for fresh weeping around the rocker cover gasket, camshaft seals, or the oil filter housing, all common sources on Audi's V6 and four-cylinder petrol units. The offside rear tyre that failed on tread depth in May 2026 is a consumable item, but its condition at the time of the pre-pass failure suggests basic upkeep may have been reactive rather than proactive. Inspect all four tyres for uneven wear patterns and check the brake discs and pads, particularly at the rear, since the MOT record does not show these items being flagged but they are well within expected wear territory at 215,700 miles. Finally, examine the underside and sill areas for corrosion, as structural integrity on a vehicle of this age and mileage can vary enormously depending on whether it has been kept in a dry garage or exposed to road salt over multiple winters.