2012 Audi A4 2.0L Diesel · LS62 EYW

A consistent and recurring front suspension wear pattern dominates the mechanical profile of this 2012 Audi A4, with the inner bushes of both front lower curved arms flagged at three consecutive MOT tests from December 2022 through December 2024. Each annual inspection has recorded progressive deterioration on both nearside and offside components, suggesting the bushes have been at or beyond their serviceable threshold for some time. The most recent test on 8 January 2026 passed without further suspension advisories, which indicates the components may have been replaced or the wear has stabilised, though the prior trend warrants close physical inspection. Notably, the 2026 test introduced a new advisory cluster concerning fluctuating front service brake performance on both sides, pointing to uneven brake disc wear, caliper slide issues, or pad glazing that has developed alongside the suspension wear. With 230,953 miles recorded over approximately fourteen years, this vehicle has accumulated around 16,500 miles annually, a notably high figure for an executive saloon of this vintage and substantially above the typical 8,000 to 10,000 mile yearly average. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing record, meaning the car has been in continuous use rather than left standing for prolonged periods, which is mechanically favourable for preventing common issues associated with stationary vehicles. However, this high and consistent mileage places considerable cumulative stress on the drivetrain, turbocharger (where fitted), clutch, automatic transmission torque converter, and engine internals, all of which will be approaching or beyond their expected service life for the platform. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension components flagged repeatedly in the advisories are the primary mechanical concern. The curved arm inner bushes are pressed items that typically require renewal as a pair, often alongside related components such as the wishbone arms, anti-roll bar drop links, and top mounts given the labour overlap. On a road test, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps, uneven kerb strikes, or uneven road surfaces, and pay particular attention to any vagueness in steering response or wandering at motorway speeds, which could indicate the bushes have degraded beyond advisory thresholds. Also check for uneven tyre wear across the front axle, particularly inner shoulder deterioration, as worn suspension bushes frequently present in this manner. The brake fluctuation advisory from January 2026 deserves equal scrutiny and is likely connected to the high mileage and the compromised geometry caused by the worn suspension. On a test drive, the buyer should feel for pedal pulsation or vibration under firm braking, uneven stopping performance, or pulling to one side, any of which would suggest the discs have worn beyond acceptable limits or that caliper sliders are binding. A thorough inspection should include measuring disc runout, checking pad material depth, and examining the caliper carriers for corrosion or seized pins. Given the cumulative mileage, it would also be prudent to verify recent replacement of the cambelt and water pump, inspect the rear suspension subframe mounting points for corrosion (a known concern on B8 platform Audi A4s), and confirm the automatic transmission fluid and filter have been serviced within the recommended intervals.