2018 Audi A5 3.0L Petrol · HA54 NXG

A consistent run of four MOT passes without any recorded failures points to a stable roadworthiness profile for this A5, with the most recent test on 25 June 2026 standing apart solely because all four 275/30/20 tyres were flagged as worn close to the legal limit or on edge, alongside a minor advisory about a child seat restricting inspection of the nearside rear adult belt. The three preceding tests in 2025, 2024, and early 2023 returned clean sheets with no advisories, suggesting that the tyre wear observed in 2026 represents a recent consumable issue rather than a long-standing mechanical concern. While the absence of any structural, brake, suspension, or exhaust advisories across the recorded history is a positive sign, it is important to recognise that MOT testing is a snapshot of pass or fail criteria rather than a guarantee of underlying mechanical condition, particularly on a vehicle of this age and specification. With 80,675 miles accumulated over approximately eight years, the average annual mileage of just over 10,000 miles sits close to the typical usage band for a vehicle of this age, indicating a fairly standard accumulation rather than intensive motorway commuting or extended periods of standing. The gaps between tests roughly correspond to annual intervals, so there is no evidence of long-term off-road storage that would raise concerns about dormant component issues such as seized brakes or perished cooling system hoses. At this mileage point, wear-related items such as suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and pads, and drivetrain mounts should be considered routine maintenance territory rather than exceptional concerns, but the lack of any historical advisories in these areas means there is no prior DVSA evidence to draw upon regarding their current condition. Given that all four tyres were noted as being worn close to the legal limit or on edge simultaneously, the prospective buyer should establish when the tyres were last replaced and whether the wear pattern is even across the axle or concentrated on one shoulder, as uneven wear on a low-profile 30-series sidewall can indicate alignment issues, worn suspension bushes, or weak shock absorbers that may not yet have reached advisory threshold. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, pay attention to vague steering response or a tendency to wander, and check for any vibration through the steering wheel at speed which could indicate tyre deformation given the low-profile specification. Inspect the inner and outer edges of all four tyres for feathering or stepped wear, and confirm the spare or repair kit is present and serviceable. The absence of any brake, exhaust, or corrosion advisories over four tests is encouraging for a vehicle now eight years old, but it does not eliminate the need for a thorough physical inspection beneath the vehicle. Given the mileage, request evidence of recent replacement of brake fluid, coolant, and the timing or serpentine belt service interval, and have the underside examined on a ramp for any early signs of surface corrosion on subframe components, brake pipes, and exhaust mounting rubbers, areas which commonly deteriorate on A5s of this generation. On the road, test the brakes firmly from around 40 mph to confirm straight-line stability without any pull to either side, and listen for any grinding, scraping, or binding caliper noise that might suggest pad or disc replacement is imminent despite the clean MOT history.