2018 Audi A5 2.0L Petrol · LS18 OEN

A pattern of tyre-related wear and deterioration is the defining mechanical story for this 2018 Audi A5. Across seven recorded MOT tests from 2021 to 2026, the vehicle has passed on six occasions with only one failure, but the defects that have been logged concentrate heavily on the contact patches. The most recent test on 16 April 2026 returned a pass with an advisory noting that both rear tyres were worn and slightly uneven on the inner edges, and a previous test on 14 April 2025 was failed outright because both front tyres had tread depth below the legal 1.6mm minimum at the centre of the tread, a dangerous defect. The same 2025 test also recorded a nail in the offside rear tyre as an advisory. With the exception of these tyre items, no structural, braking, suspension, or corrosion advisories have been recorded at any point, which gives the roadworthiness record a narrow but consistent focus on tyre condition rather than broader mechanical decline. Recorded mileage stands at 52,696 miles across an eight-year registration, equating to roughly 6,587 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. There are no unusually long gaps between annual tests, with all seven MOT records falling within the expected April test window aside from the 2022 entry which was conducted in late March. The mileage progression between consecutive tests is steady rather than erratic, with no evidence of either long periods off the road or sudden high-mileage accumulation. At this level of use, the mechanical stress on consumable components such as brake pads, brake discs, suspension bushes, and coil springs should be moderate, and the absence of any advisories relating to braking components, exhaust condition, or underbody corrosion across all recorded tests is a notable feature of the history. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are dictated by the specific defects already recorded. The 2026 advisory regarding uneven inner-edge wear on both rear tyres warrants close attention to the rear suspension geometry, particularly the condition of the rear trailing arms, bushes, and any anti-roll bar linkages, as inner-edge wear on a matched axle is often symptomatic of misalignment, worn suspension components, or incorrect camber settings. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the rear suspension over uneven road surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or wandering in the steering, particularly over bumps. The 2025 dangerous failure for low front tread depth should also prompt a thorough check of the current front tyres, confirming they have at least 3mm of remaining tread and are of matching brand, size, and load rating across the axle. Beyond the tyres and rear suspension, a physical inspection should cover the brake discs and pads through the wheel spokes to confirm there is sufficient material remaining and no lipping on the disc edges, and the underside of the vehicle should be examined for any signs of oil leakage from the engine or transmission, exhaust corrosion, or securing clip integrity, none of which have been flagged historically but are worth verifying at this age and mileage. The vehicle has no recorded advisories relating to brake pipes, handbrake performance, or structural corrosion, so a standard visual check of the subframe mounting points, sills, and suspension arms for surface rust is still advisable given the age. Given the consistent annual testing pattern and absence of repeat mechanical failures, the immediate mechanical risks are concentrated on tyre management and rear suspension condition rather than systemic vehicle decline.