2017 Audi A4 2.0L Petrol · HG67 AAF

Corrosion on the coil springs and wear in the upper suspension arm bushes dominate the recent mechanical narrative of this 2017 Audi A4, with both rear springs noted as corroded and both front upper arm pins or bushes recorded as worn at the most recent assessment. The vehicle passed its MOT on 29 July 2026 following a major failure the day before caused by an offside rear tyre with a cut penetrating to the ply or cords, which is a straightforward consumable issue rather than a structural concern. Looking across the recorded tests from 2023 to 2026, the pattern is one of accumulating advisories rather than worsening failures: tyre cracking and perishing on the rear axle appeared in 2023, front tyre edge wear and worsening rear cracking followed in 2024, and by 2025 the front upper rear arm bushes were noted as splitting bilaterally. This is a typical progression for a vehicle of this age reaching the latter stages of consumable life on its suspension and rubber components, and the most recent test confirms the trend is continuing rather than reversing. Mileage stands at 82,872 recorded miles across approximately nine years, giving an annual accumulation of around 9,208 miles, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a car of this age and suggests the vehicle has been in regular service rather than laid up for extended periods. There are no conspicuous gaps in the annual testing pattern that would indicate long periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent with steady commuting or mixed use. This level of annual mileage is sufficient to expect meaningful wear on suspension components, brake discs and pads, tyres, and drivetrain items, but it is not so high as to suggest the car has been subjected to commercial or fleet-level duty cycles that would accelerate structural fatigue. For a prospective buyer, the priority items to scrutinise are the rear coil springs, which have been flagged for corrosion on both sides, and the front upper suspension arm bushes, which were first noted as splitting in 2025 and as worn pins or bushes in 2026. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the rear suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, particularly on cornering loads, as corroded coil springs can fracture and produce an audible rattle or sudden noise change. For the front end, pay attention to vagueness in the steering, any judder through the wheel over broken surfaces, and uneven tyre wear across the front pair, since worn upper arm bushes allow the geometry to shift under load. Visually inspect the springs for flaking or missing sections of coating and the bushes for cracking or separation between the rubber and its metal housing, ideally with the vehicle on a ramp. The tyre history also warrants close inspection given the recurring advisories for cracking and perishing on the rear pair across three consecutive tests and the 2026 failure for a deep cut. Age-related rubber deterioration can affect all four tyres even when the tread depth appears adequate, so check the DOT date codes and examine the sidewalls and shoulders for hairline cracks, particularly on the rear axle. The front wipers were flagged as defective or smearing in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting the linkage or motor may be nearing the end of its service life. Finally, verify the condition of the rear registration plate as it was noted as deteriorated, and budget for replacement of the rear springs, front upper arms or bushes, a full set of tyres, and front wiper components as the most likely near-term maintenance items based on this record.