2017 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · LS17 TFU

This 2017 Audi A5 presents a particularly clean and stable roadworthiness picture, with its most recent MOT on 11 October 2023 returning a pass and no advisories or defects recorded whatsoever. Across four documented tests between 2021 and 2023, the vehicle has consistently met DVSA standards, with only one isolated failure noted on 30 September 2023, which was followed just eleven days later by a clean pass. The absence of recorded advisories throughout the entire testing window is notable for a vehicle of this age, as it suggests no progressive deterioration in areas typically flagged on high-mileage or ageing executive cars such as suspension bushes, brake components, or underbody corrosion. The overall trend is therefore one of mechanical stability rather than emerging decline, though the brief gap between the late September failure and the early October pass warrants a query regarding what component prompted the original refusal. With 64,948 miles accumulated over nine years, the A5 has covered approximately 7,216 miles annually, a figure that sits squarely within typical parameters for a vehicle of its age and class. There is no evidence in the MOT record of significant gaps between tests or sudden mileage jumps that would suggest either prolonged storage or exceptionally heavy motorway use. This steady, moderate accumulation is mechanically beneficial, as it indicates that consumable items such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension components have experienced wear at a predictable rate without the thermal stress of heavy continuous use or the drying-out effects of extended standing. The absence of any recorded advisories at this mileage is reassuring, as components like coil springs, drop links, and anti-roll bar bushes on cars of this vintage commonly begin to show deterioration once annual mileage climbs substantially or the vehicle passes the 60,000-mile threshold. For a prospective buyer conducting a physical inspection, priority should be given to the areas that would typically generate MOT advisories on a 2017 Audi A5 of this mileage, even though none are formally recorded. On the test drive, listen carefully for clonking or knocking from the front suspension when traversing speed humps or uneven road surfaces, as the multi-link front arrangement fitted to these models is prone to wear in the lower wishbone bushes and anti-roll bar drop links. Steering response should be checked for any vagueness, knocking, or knocking through the column, which can indicate top mount or steering rack deterioration. Pay particular attention to brake feel, ensuring the pedal is firm and that the vehicle pulls up squarely without any judder through the steering, as warped front discs are a common finding on heavier executive coupes that have seen mixed urban driving. Under the vehicle, inspect the undertrays for any signs of oil misting around the engine and transmission, paying special attention to the turbocharger oil feed lines and the cam cover gasket, both known seepage points on the TFSI units commonly fitted to A5s of this generation. Examine the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting brackets and joints, as the rear silencer and centre section can fail on vehicles exposed to winter road salts. Check the rear brake discs for any lipping or corrosion ridges, as rear disc handbrake mechanisms can seize if rarely actuated. Finally, verify that all electronic systems function correctly, including the MMI infotainment, parking sensors, and climate control, as electrical gremlins are a more common complaint on premium vehicles of this age than mechanical failures, and while outside MOT scope, they are critical to the overall ownership proposition.