2014 Audi A5 2.0L Petrol · KA54 SJS

The defining mechanical story of this 2014 Audi A5 centres on a pattern of component wear concentrated at the rear axle and front suspension, culminating in a failure on 25 March 2024 that registered two dangerous defects and required immediate remedial work before a re-test could be secured. The near-side rear brake pad was recorded at less than 1.5 mm thickness, which falls into the MOT dangerous category and would have caused immediate test failure regardless of any other condition. In the same test the offside rear tyre exhibited a tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area, again a dangerous classification that demands replacement rather than monitoring. While the car passed its subsequent tests on 2 April 2024, 16 December 2024 and most recently 12 December 2025, the underlying wear pattern has not fully resolved. The most recent test carried forward front tyre edge wear on both sides, suggesting that whatever alignment or suspension geometry issue contributed to the original advisory has not been comprehensively rectified. Recorded mileage stands at 74,927 miles over an approximate twelve-year life, yielding an annual accumulation of around 6,244 miles, which sits broadly within typical parameters for the age bracket. There is no extended lay-up period evident in the MOT cadence, with tests appearing in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024 (twice) and 2025. The gap between June 2021 and January 2023 is notable at roughly nineteen months and may reflect a period off the road, though mileage progression cannot be confirmed from MOT records alone. The relatively consistent annual usage suggests that consumable wear at this stage should be proportionate, yet the persistence of rear brake and tyre advisories across multiple tests indicates that the wear is recurring rather than one-off. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension inner bush wear flagged in April 2024 warrants particular physical inspection, as Audi A5 front upper control arm inner bushes are a known service item that, once worn beyond tolerance, can produce knocking over uneven road surfaces, vague steering response, and uneven front tyre wear consistent with the edge wear advisories recorded in December 2025. When inspecting the vehicle, the front tyres should be examined closely for inner or outer shoulder feathering, and the suspension should be cycled through full lock while listening for clonks or feeling for free play at the inner pivot point. The rear shock absorber light oil misting recorded in December 2024 is a relatively minor finding at present but should be monitored, as B8 platform dampers tend to weep progressively and a visible damp area on the piston rod or staining on the coil spring indicates the unit is approaching end of service life. A road test should include moderate speed cornering and braking to detect any rear instability. The brake system history demonstrates the most urgent consideration. The dangerous pad thickness finding in March 2024 was almost certainly rectified at the time of re-test, but the prior advisory in June 2021 for rear pads wearing thin suggests a recurring pattern of aggressive rear pad consumption, which on this platform can sometimes indicate a binding rear caliper or sticking handbrake mechanism rather than simple friction wear. On inspection, the rear calipers should be checked for smooth piston retraction, the handbrake should release cleanly without residual drag, and the rear discs examined for lip formation or scoring. The dangerous offside rear tyre condition in March 2024, combined with repeated rear tyre edge wear advisories, points toward either a rear wheel alignment issue or a tracking problem that may not have been resolved. A four-wheel alignment check and close visual inspection of all four tyres for uneven wear patterns would be advisable before purchase, alongside confirmation that the work carried out following the March 2024 failure is fully documented.