2015 Audi Q3 2.0L Diesel · LR15 XJW

The 2015 Audi Q3 passed its most recent MOT on 28 March 2026 at 135,227 miles, but the certificate carries advisories that signal a slowly worsening maintenance trend rather than an improving one. Both front suspension arm rear bushes were flagged as worn yet not resulting in excessive movement, a repeat of identical advisories issued in April 2023 and April 2022. The tester also noted oil dampness around the front of the engine. While the car remains roadworthy today, the persistence of these suspension bush advisories across three consecutive annual tests suggests the components have been deteriorating gradually and have not been replaced. The 2025 test at 126,565 miles was entirely clean, which briefly interrupted the pattern, but the March 2026 result confirms the underlying wear has returned or progressed. The mileage accumulation tells its own story. Between April 2022 at 102,799 miles and March 2026 at 135,227 miles, the car covered 32,428 miles in just under four years, averaging roughly 8,100 miles per year. That is a noticeable drop from the earlier pattern: between April 2022 and April 2023 the car added 9,563 miles, and between April 2023 and April 2024 it added 7,075 miles. The pace has slowed, yet the total of 135,227 miles over approximately eleven years still works out to around 12,293 miles per year overall, which is high for a vehicle of this age. High annual mileage accelerates wear on consumables and structural components alike, and the MOT record reflects that reality through repeated tyre and suspension advisories. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension, specifically the lower arm rear bushes that have appeared as advisories in three of the last five tests. Worn bushes cause vague steering, uneven tyre wear, and can eventually lead to dangerous handling instability if the bush separates entirely. The inner edge wear noted on both rear tyres in April 2023 and both front tyres in April 2022 points to tracking or alignment issues that may still be present. Have the front and rear alignment checked on a four-wheel laser rig before committing to a purchase. The recurring oil dampness noted around the front and base of the engine in 2023 and again at the front in 2026 warrants a thorough inspection of the camshaft cover gaskets, oil filter housing seal, and the rear main seal area. Persistent oil seepage on a 2.0 TFSI or TDI engine of this age can degrade rubber hoses and wiring loom connectors over time. Finally, inspect the underside for corrosion, particularly around the subframes, suspension mounting points, and inner wing arches. High-mileage Q3s used on salted roads often develop surface and structural rust that MOT tests do not always capture unless it becomes severe. Check the brake discs and pads for uneven wear, and test-drive the car over broken surfaces to listen for clunks from the front end that would confirm the bushes have progressed beyond advisory-level wear. The car is not unsafe, but the record shows a pattern of deferred minor repairs that a diligent buyer should budget for immediately after purchase.