2013 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · LR63 HSV

A near-perfect MOT history sits alongside a single, sharply deteriorated test result on 24 October 2025, where the vehicle failed on multiple safety items immediately before a clean pass was issued the same day. The failure log is significant: the rear brake pads were recorded at less than 1.5 mm thick, which the tester correctly categorised as Dangerous rather than merely advisory, and the nearside headlamp was non-functional on both dipped and main beam. A non-operational windscreen washer compounded the result. While the subsequent pass confirms these items were rectified, the simultaneous appearance of a worn rear brake disc advisory and the pad failure suggests the braking system had been allowed to run very close to, or beyond, its service limit before intervention. The clean passes in 2022, 2023, and 2024, combined with only an isolated front tyre edge-wear advisory in 2023, indicate that this was not a gradually declining vehicle but rather one whose maintenance was deferred until safety components became dangerously thin. At 119,159 miles over roughly thirteen years, the Q5 is averaging approximately 9,166 miles per year, which is broadly typical for its class and age. There are no multi-year gaps in the MOT record, suggesting the vehicle has been in continuous use rather than laid up, which is generally favourable for a car of this complexity. The mileage is high enough, however, that consumable wear items such as brake discs, pads, suspension bushes, and drivetrain mounts will have been subjected to substantial cumulative stress. No odometer inconsistencies are apparent between tests, and the regular annual testing pattern supports a consistent usage profile rather than sporadic long-distance or short-journey extremes. Given the rear brake components flagged at the most recent test, particular attention should be paid to the condition of the rear calipers, pad wear sensors, and any scoring or lipping on the rear disc friction surfaces. Ask the seller to confirm whether the rear discs were replaced alongside the pads, or merely skimmed or refaced, as a worn disc that was not renewed will continue to accelerate pad wear. On test drive, listen for any metallic scraping under light braking, check for the rear binding or pulling to one side under deceleration, and verify that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline, as rear caliper mechanisms on Q5s are known to seize with age and mileage. The headlamp and washer failures on the 2025 test are likely electrical or bulb-related, but given the vehicle's age and mileage, the headlamp connector and wiring harness should be inspected for heat damage or corrosion, particularly on the nearside assembly. During a test drive, confirm both dipped and main beam operation, check for flickering or intermittent failure on undulating roads, and ensure the washer system delivers fluid to the windscreen with adequate pressure. With the vehicle now thirteen years old, it would also be prudent to inspect the underside for corrosion on the subframe, brake pipes, and suspension arms, to verify the condition of the front and rear anti-roll bar bushes, and to check for any oil leaks from the engine and transfer case, as these are common wear points on a high-mileage Q5.