2007 Audi A4 4.2L Petrol · MA07 WEN

The most recent DVSA examination on 12 December 2025 resulted in a pass, though it carried one minor windscreen defect, a seat belt webbing advisory on the offside front, an oil leak advisory from the central engine area, and advisories on both rear brake hoses for perishing and cracking. Reviewing the trajectory across the recorded tests, the maintenance profile is broadly stable but trending slightly downward, with engine management MIL lamp failures appearing in both 2023 and 2024 before being rectified, and suspension-related advisories recurring every year since 2021. The repeated advisories relating to perished rear brake hoses, top arm bushes, and an ongoing engine oil leak suggest a vehicle that has been kept on the road through a pattern of deferred component renewal rather than proactive refurbishment, which is typical of an older Audi approaching its twentieth year of service. The recorded mileage of 79,284 miles against a 2007 manufacture date equates to an annual average of approximately 4,173 miles, which is well below the national average and consistent with either light recreational use or extended periods of standing. Such low annual mileage is mechanically significant because calendar age rather than distance tends to drive deterioration of rubber, polymer, and fluid-based components, and it also elevates the risk of corrosion seizing moving parts. Given the consistent year-on-year MOT testing observed in the history, the vehicle appears to have been used at least occasionally, which is preferable to long-term storage, but the very low accumulation of miles between tests means components have experienced many short, cold-starts and minimal sustained running, accelerating oil contamination, brake disc surface corrosion, and battery degradation. A prospective buyer should prioritise a thorough physical inspection of the suspension and braking systems, given the recurring advisories. The nearside front lower curved arm, its ball joint dust cover, and the upper arm pin or bush have been flagged repeatedly since 2021 and were major failure items in late 2023, so the front suspension should be checked for perished or split bushes, free play in the ball joints, and any clonks or knocks transmitted through the cabin over uneven surfaces during a test drive. Both rear brake flexi hoses have been recorded as deteriorated for several consecutive tests, and although they have remained advisory, perishing of these hoses progresses with age and they should be examined for surface cracking and swelling under pressure, with the rear brakes checked for any sponginess or pulling to one side. The persistent central engine oil leak, which has been advised at every test since at least 2021, warrants inspection of the sump, cam chain area, and valve cover gasket for seepage, and the engine bay should be checked for fresh oil residue and any associated coolant or breather concerns. Beyond the documented advisories, attention should be given to age-related deterioration that the MOT does not fully cover. Tyre sidewalls should be inspected for perishing and cracking from age even if tread depth remains adequate, as nineteen-year-old tyres lose elasticity and grip regardless of wear. Brake discs, particularly on a low-mileage vehicle, are prone to corrosion and binding calipers from standing, so the car should be road-tested for any juddering on initial application or uneven pulling. The 12V battery is highly likely to be near the end of its service life given its age and should be load-tested, while all fluids including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid if applicable, should be considered for renewal on a calendar basis regardless of mileage, as their protective additives degrade over time. Finally, the service book should be verified for consistent stamp history to confirm that oil and filter changes have been carried out at appropriate intervals, which is particularly important given the recurring engine management lamp issues recorded in 2023 and 2024.