2009 Audi A6 2.0L Diesel · LC59 CEU

The defining mechanical story of this 2009 Audi A6 is a sustained pattern of front suspension wear, with both upper arm pin or bush advisories and a lower anti-roll bar linkage failure recurring across the MOT history. The most recent test on 4 December 2025 recorded a pass, but it carried advisories on both nearside and offside front upper suspension arm pin or bush wear, which mirror the same components flagged in 2024, 2023, and 2020. A major defect was also recorded during the 28 November 2024 retest for a nearside front lower anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush that was excessively worn, alongside a registration plate lamp failure and a seat belt buckle repair item. While the car has consistently passed its tests, the recurring nature of the suspension advisories on the same components points to progressive wear that will likely require replacement at the front end, particularly the upper arms, lower anti-roll bar linkages, and associated bushes. The recorded mileage of 146,223 miles across seventeen years equates to roughly 8,600 miles per year, which sits close to the average for a vehicle of this age and indicates steady, regular use rather than long periods off the road or unusually heavy motorway accumulation. The MOT entries do not show any multi-year gaps in testing that would suggest extended standing periods, and the mileage progression between tests is broadly consistent year on year. From a mechanical standpoint, this kind of consistent running is generally kinder to seals, gaskets, brake discs, and drivetrain components than a low-mileage vehicle that has stood unused for extended periods, but it does mean that consumable items such as suspension bushes, brake pads, and tyres have seen continuous working cycles and are now showing their age. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension components flagged across multiple tests should be the primary focus of a physical inspection and test drive. With the upper arms, rear arm bushes, and lower anti-roll bar linkages all showing recorded wear, it is advisable to listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven road surfaces, and during sharp direction changes at low speed. Any vagueness in steering response, a wandering feel at speed, or a noticeable delay between steering input and front wheel reaction would suggest that the bushes have deteriorated beyond the advisory threshold. The vehicle should be raised if possible to check for perished or split bushes and any play in the anti-roll bar drop links, as these parts are commonly replaced in pairs on the A6. The braking system also warrants close attention given the 2020 advisory on front brake pad wear and the 2021 advisory on rear brake pad wear, combined with the high overall mileage. On a test drive, the pedal should feel firm and progressive without excessive travel, and there should be no judder or vibration through the pedal under firm braking which would indicate warped front discs. The 2022 advisories on nearside and offside front tyres being worn close to the legal limit on both edges suggest a possible tracking or alignment issue, and uneven inner or outer edge wear on the current tyres would be worth confirming visually. Finally, the intermittent front position lamp and registration plate lamp failures recorded in 2022 and 2024 are worth a quick functional check of all exterior lighting, and the rear seat belt buckle should be confirmed as fully operational and latching correctly, since a stuck buckle was flagged for repair at the 2024 retest.