2012 Audi A3 1.6L Petrol · LD12 AFZ

The vehicle remains roadworthy; the most recent MOT on 22 December 2025 at 64 595 miles recorded a PASS with only advisories. Front and rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin (1.1.13 (a)(ii)) and the offside rear tyre was noted as worn close to the legal limit (5.2.3 (e)). The history shows a clear improvement in condition: earlier failures in 2020 (missing fuel cap, incorrect direction‑indicator colour) and 2016 (rear‑tyre tread depth below 1.6 mm) have not recurred, indicating that maintenance issues have been addressed and the car now presents only expected consumable wear. Mileage accumulation has been modest for a 2012 model, averaging roughly 4 600 miles per year, yet the last twelve months show a more rapid increase. Between 9 January 2025 (54 600 miles) and 22 December 2025 the odometer rose 9 995 miles, suggesting heavier recent use. Earlier intervals were steadier: from 17 June 2024 (54 011 miles) to 9 January 2025 only 589 miles were added, and the gap between the 2023‑04‑25 test (53 066 miles) and the 2024‑06‑17 test (54 011 miles) spanned almost two years with minimal mileage gain. The pattern points to a vehicle that has been lightly used for most of its life but has experienced a recent uptick in activity. A prospective buyer should inspect the braking system closely; the advisories on pad wear indicate the front and rear pads are approaching replacement intervals. The offside rear tyre’s edge wear demands immediate attention, and the tread depth on both rear tyres should be measured against the 1.6 mm legal requirement. Suspension bushes and shock absorbers merit a visual and ride‑height check given the car’s age, and any signs of rust or corrosion on the chassis rails should be examined. The previous fuel‑cap failure and direction‑indicator colour issues suggest the sealing components and lighting circuits need verification. Finally, the windscreen damage recorded in multiple tests (areas outside zone A) should be assessed for structural integrity and driver visibility.