2019 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · N5 PEJ

The 2019 Audi Q5 passed its most recent MOT on 3 February 2026 at 27,646 miles, but the result carries a cluster of advisories that signals a shift from its previously clean record. Between 2022 and 2025, every test returned zero defects across four consecutive visits spanning 15,131 to 25,716 miles, indicating a period of consistent, trouble-free maintenance. The February 2026 test breaks that pattern. Both front coil springs are flagged as corroded under section 5.3.1(b)(i), all four corners show brake pads wearing thin, and both rear tyres display cracking or perishing. This is not a catastrophic failure profile, but the simultaneous emergence of corrosion and wear items after four clean tests suggests the car has either sat unused for extended periods or routine inspection of consumables was neglected. The maintenance trend has deteriorated sharply in the most recent year. The mileage profile reinforces that concern. The car has covered only 27,646 miles over roughly seven years, averaging approximately 3,949 miles per year, well below the UK average of around 8,000 miles annually. The increments between tests are irregular: 4,725 miles between February 2022 and February 2023, 3,726 miles between 2023 and 2024, 2,134 miles between 2024 and 2025, then 1,930 miles between 2025 and 2026. The annual distance covered has halved over the life of the record. Such low, declining usage often points to long periods of inactivity, which accelerates rubber perishing, brake disc surface corrosion, and moisture ingress into suspension components, exactly the failure modes now appearing. A buyer should inspect the front suspension carefully. Corroded coil springs on both sides at the same test is unusual on a car of this age and mileage unless the vehicle has been standing on damp ground or the protective coating has failed. Spring corrosion can progress to fracture under load, particularly over sharp compression events like speed bumps or potholes. Have a technician measure remaining brake pad thickness at all four wheels and check the condition of the front and rear brake discs for lipping and surface rust, since thin pads combined with prolonged standing use often means discs have also corroded unevenly. The rear tyres showing cracking or perishing on both sides at the same test date suggests age degradation rather than impact damage. Check the date stamps on all four tyres; if the rears are original or older than five years, budget for a full replacement set regardless of remaining tread depth. Beyond the flagged items, examine the underside for corrosion on subframes, suspension arms, and exhaust mounting points, as low-mileage cars that sit for long periods can trap moisture in underbody cavities. Test the handbrake function on a slope, since rear brake calipers on Quattro variants are known to bind if the car has been stationary for weeks. The service history should be cross-referenced against the MOT record to confirm whether brake fluid changes, suspension checks, and tyre replacements were carried out on schedule, or whether the previous owner simply relied on the MOT to identify wear.