2017 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · MJ67 EOE

A consistent theme emerges across the six recorded MOT tests for this 2017 Audi A5: a brake wear pattern that has been gradually flagged rather than a single dramatic failure. The most recent test on 22 October 2025 was a clean pass with no defects recorded, which on the surface suggests a healthy vehicle, but the three preceding tests each carried advisory notes centred on the braking system. In 2024, the nearside rear brake disc was identified as worn, pitted, or scored, with signs of overheating, and the year before that both front and rear brake pads were noted as wearing thin, specifically the inner pads on all four corners. The overall trend is stable rather than worsening, and there are no recorded failures, advisories for corrosion, suspension components, exhaust integrity, or structural defects, but the brake history is the single mechanical thread that any prospective buyer should follow up on. Against an age of nine years, the recorded mileage of 34,595 miles equates to roughly 3,844 miles per year, which is well below the typical annual accumulation for a vehicle in this class. There are no multi-year gaps between tests, with MOTs recorded consecutively from 2020 through 2025, so the car does not appear to have been laid up for extended periods. Lower mileage of this nature generally means reduced wear on major drivetrain and suspension components, but it can also bring its own considerations: brake discs and pads are particularly susceptible to corrosion pitting and uneven wear when a vehicle is used predominantly for short trips or town driving, which is consistent with the advisory notes in the record. The single advisory for low rear tyres in 2021 is also typical of a car that may sit for stretches between uses, as tyre pressures can drift down during periods of inactivity. Given the recurring brake advisories, particular attention should be paid to the condition of all four brake discs and pads during a physical inspection, especially the inner pad faces which were specifically flagged in 2023 and which can wear unevenly due to sticking caliper slides or seized guide pins. On a test drive, listen for any grinding, squealing, or rumbling from the brakes, and feel for pedal pulsation, vibration under heavy braking, or any pulling to one side which could indicate a binding caliper or a warped disc. The nearside rear disc was noted as showing signs of overheating in 2024, so it is worth checking the current disc thickness against the manufacturer minimum and looking for a blueing discolouration or heat checking on the disc surface. Because brake wear has been the consistent advisory theme, a thorough inspection by a specialist or a measurement of all four disc and pad thicknesses before purchase would be prudent, and budget should be set aside for a full axle brake refresh if the components have continued to deteriorate since the last recorded test. Beyond the braking system, the record is notably clean, with no advisories for suspension bushes, coil springs, steering components, exhaust leaks, fluid leaks, or structural corrosion, which are all areas that often surface on vehicles of this age. The annual MOT sequence with no test gaps and no failures suggests the car has been kept on the road continuously and presented for testing each year without significant preparatory repairs being required at the time of test. Nonetheless, a walkaround inspection should still focus on the condition of the tyres for age-related cracking regardless of tread depth, the underbody for any emerging surface corrosion particularly around suspension mounting points, and the condition of all fluid levels and warning lights on the dashboard. A handheld OBD scan would also be sensible to check for any stored fault codes in the engine and transmission control units that would not form part of the standard MOT assessment.