2013 Audi A4 2.0L Diesel · JC63 ALC

The most recent DVSA examination on 20 November 2025 resulted in a Pass, although the same date also records a Fail with several items requiring rectification prior to re-testing. The Fail included a Major defect for an excessively worn front anti-roll bar ball joint, a Prs (present and sufficient to fail) for headlamp aim being too low, and minor advisories relating to windscreen damage, deteriorated front suspension arm ball joint dust cover, and a deteriorated offside front drive shaft constant velocity boot. A subsequent re-test on the same day achieved a Pass, indicating the Major anti-roll bar ball joint wear and headlamp aim issue were rectified. The overall picture across the four recorded tests shows a stable to mildly worsening trend, with the 2024 advisory list flagging front suspension wear and edge tyre wear, and the 2025 test escalating one of those suspension concerns to a Major failure category, alongside a new steering/drive shaft integrity concern. Recorded mileage of 128,456 miles over 13 years equates to roughly 9,881 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and is neither unusually low nor excessively high. There are no significant gaps in the MOT history that would suggest prolonged periods of standing, nor are there sudden spikes in mileage between consecutive tests that would indicate heavy motorway use or fleet-style operation. Consistent annual usage of this nature generally means consumables such as brake discs, pads, tyres, and clutch components have experienced predictable wear, while suspension bushes, drop links, and anti-roll bar components tend to require attention somewhere between 80,000 and 130,000 miles on a vehicle of this type, broadly consistent with the advisories seen. The advisory for front suspension upper arm rear bushes in 2024, combined with the 2025 Major defect for an excessively worn front anti-roll bar ball joint and the deteriorated lower arm ball joint dust cover, points toward progressive wear of the front suspension and anti-roll bar linkage. On a test drive, listen for clunks or knocks from the front end over bumps, during direction changes, or when braking, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering. Inspect the condition of the front tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, as worn anti-roll bar drop links and control arm bushes frequently cause feathered or asymmetric wear patterns. The deteriorated offside front drive shaft CV boot is also a likely candidate for attention; listen for clicking or knocking on full-lock turns and inspect the surrounding rubber gaiter for splits or grease loss, as a ruptured boot that is left unattended will lead to joint failure. The 2025 entry for headlamp aim being too low on test and the 2021 Major defect for obviously incorrect beam image suggest that headlamp alignment or levelling components may need periodic checking, particularly if the vehicle has been subjected to suspension work, load changes, or has aftermarket bulbs fitted. The earlier advisories for oil leak and rear nail-in-tyre punctures are minor and largely resolved. Given the age and mileage, irrespective of the MOT record, a prospective buyer should also confirm the condition of age-related items not specifically tested, including tyre sidewall cracking or perishing from age-related rubber degradation, brake disc surface corrosion or caliper binding from standing periods, the 12V battery health, and whether time-based fluid services such as brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid have been carried out at the manufacturer's recommended intervals. Verifying full service history stamps and any documented suspension component replacement would provide reassurance regarding the resolution of the items flagged at the 2025 test.