2007 Audi A3 1.6L Petrol · GV57 GVL

Corrosion is the defining theme of this 2007 Audi A3's MOT history, with underbody and suspension rust flagged at every test since 2022 and a general corrosion advisory added to the latest pass on 25 October 2024. The front suspension arms have been noted as corroded but not seriously weakened for three consecutive years, the offside front coil spring is now corroded, and both front brake discs have been recorded as worn, pitted or scored across multiple tests. The trend is gradually worsening rather than stable: what began as general suspension corrosion advisories in 2022 has expanded to include a named corroded coil spring and a general underbody corrosion note by 2024. Alongside this, the car has carried a recurring advisory for black exhaust smoke under acceleration and a small engine oil leak since 2022, neither of which has been resolved. The one outright failure on record, in November 2022, was for both front tyres worn smooth below the 1.6mm legal limit on inner and outer edges, a dangerous defect that was rectified within six days to secure a pass. At 95,832 miles over roughly 19 years, the car has averaged only around 5,000 miles per year, a low accumulation rate consistent with short local journeys or extended periods of light use. The annual test rhythm has been regular with no significant gaps, which is reassuring, but low-mileage use of this kind is precisely the pattern that allows corrosion to advance on suspension arms, coil springs and brake discs while the odometer stays modest. Pitted brake discs and edge-worn front tyres are also consistent with a car that sits for stretches between short trips, since surface rust forms on discs and is scrubbed unevenly, and the repeated inner and outer edge wear on both front tyres points to a possible tracking or geometry issue rather than simple mileage-related wear. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front suspension and underbody. The corroded coil spring is the most pressing item, as a weakened spring can fracture without warning, so check for any sagging or uneven ride height at the front and listen on the test drive for knocking or clunking over bumps that would suggest deteriorating suspension arm bushes or the previously flagged anti-roll bar drop link ball joint dust cover. Examine the front brake discs for deep scoring and lip formation at the rim, and feel for judder or pulsing through the pedal under braking, which would indicate the pitting has progressed to thickness variation. Given the general underbody corrosion advisory, the car warrants a ramp inspection of the subframes, brake lines and sills before purchase, since surface corrosion noted as an advisory can conceal more serious structural weakening. The black smoke under acceleration, noted at two consecutive tests, suggests the engine is running rich, and on a car of this age and engine type it is worth checking for a misfire, a faulty sensor or injector issues; on a test drive, watch the mirror for visible smoke under hard throttle and note any hesitation or rough running. The persistent small oil leak should be traced to its source, whether a rocker cover gasket, sump seal or something more involved, and the ground where the car is parked checked for fresh drips. Finally, given the history of front tyres wearing on both edges, have the wheel alignment checked and budget for two front tyres if the current set shows similar shoulder wear. None of these issues is individually disqualifying at this price point and age, but collectively they indicate a car that will need ongoing expenditure on corrosion-related suspension and brake work in the near term.