2013 Audi A5 2.0L Petrol · LP62 UXN

The most recent DVSA examination on 27 September 2025 returned a clean pass with no defects or advisories recorded, and this favourable outcome is consistent with the broader history. Across the eight tests logged on file, the vehicle has passed on every occasion without any failure items, which indicates a stable and well-maintained mechanical trend rather than a deteriorating one. The only items of note are two advisories raised at the 5 October 2022 test, both relating to worn suspension arm inner bushes on the front axle, which at the time were not deemed excessive. Importantly, these advisories have not reappeared in the three subsequent tests, suggesting either that the components have not deteriorated to a point warranting further comment or that remedial work has been undertaken in the intervening period. The absence of any advisories relating to braking components, exhaust emissions, corrosion, lighting, or tyres across the entire record is reassuring for a vehicle now in its thirteenth year. With a recorded odometer reading of 83,496 miles against an age of approximately 13 years, the vehicle is averaging around 6,400 miles annually, which sits squarely within the typical usage envelope for a car of this profile. The MOT records themselves do not expose any significant mileage gaps or unusually rapid accumulation between tests, indicating steady and consistent use rather than prolonged periods of standing or, conversely, heavy commercial-style mileage. This kind of moderate annual usage tends to be kinder to timing chains, turbochargets, dual-clutch gearboxes, and other drivetrain components than very high-mileage operation, while still being sufficient to keep seals, fluids, and brake systems regularly worked. However, the figure is not so low as to raise the standing-related concerns that often accompany fleet or second-car use, so the wear pattern should be broadly linear and predictable. For a prospective buyer, the clean advisory record on the most recent tests does not eliminate the need for a targeted physical inspection, particularly of the front suspension items previously flagged. The inner bushes on the front lower suspension arms are known wear items on the Audi A5 and, when degraded, can produce clonking or knocking noises over speed humps, uneven tyre wear across the front axle, and a vague or wandering feel through the steering on undulating roads. On a test drive, listen carefully for any transmission of road surface texture into the cabin as thuds or rattles, and inspect the inner and outer edges of the front tyres for feathering or inconsistent tread depth, which would indicate the bushes have moved beyond the advisory threshold. Given the age of the components, budgeting for replacement of the front lower suspension arms within the medium term is prudent, as the original factory-fit bushes are now well into their expected service life. Beyond the recorded advisories, several age-related and calendar-based checks are strongly advisable on a thirteen-year-old Audi A5 regardless of its MOT outcome. The 12V battery, particularly if it is the original fitment or a near-original replacement, should be load-tested, as units of this age frequently fail without warning and can leave the vehicle stranded. Brake discs, particularly on a car that may have spent periods of lighter use, can exhibit corrosion ridges on the working surface and binding calipers, so a test drive should include several progressive stops from moderate speed to confirm a firm, even pedal and the absence of vibration or pulling. All fluid services should be verified by service history stamps, as brake fluid is hygroscopic and should be renewed every two years regardless of mileage, while coolant, transmission fluid, and differential oil on quattro variants are time-sensitive rather than mileage-sensitive. Finally, the tyres warrant close inspection for sidewall cracking and perishing, which can occur well before the tread reaches the legal limit on a vehicle of this age, and the underside should be examined for any surface corrosion or fluid seepage from the engine, power steering, and rear differential areas that would not necessarily be evident from the MOT record alone.