2017 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · NA67 FBY

A fractured rear coil spring recorded as a Major defect at the November 2024 test is the most significant mechanical event in this Audi Q5's history, and it shapes the primary risk picture for a prospective buyer. That single failure sits alongside an otherwise continuous sequence of passes dating back to 2020, with the most recent examination on 13 November 2025 returning a Pass and a Minor item for a severely deteriorated outer constant velocity boot on the nearside front drive shaft. A fractured coil spring on a vehicle of this age and mileage is not a routine wear item on a par with brake pads or tyres, and its occurrence warrants careful attention to the rest of the suspension, given that one spring failing can be an early indicator of broader chassis stress or that the remaining springs have endured similar fatigue cycles. The Minor drive shaft boot deterioration recorded at the same 2025 test is a separate but related drivetrain concern: once a CV boot splits fully, grease is expelled and joint failure follows relatively quickly, so the boot should be inspected closely for any fresh splits or grease deposits before purchase. The recorded mileage of 53,255 miles across approximately nine years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 5,900 miles, which is below the typical figure for a vehicle of this type and is consistent with the kind of light use that suppresses wear on major drivetrain components, clutches and brake friction material. However, the MOT history is consistently annual with no extended gaps off the road, which means the vehicle has been exercised regularly rather than left to stand for prolonged periods, reducing the likelihood of issues such as seized brakes, dried suspension bushes, or severely discharged battery cells. The relatively even year-on-year presence at test suggests a steady, low-intensity usage pattern rather than long-term storage followed by sudden reactivation. Undertrays have been recorded as fitted at every test since 2021, which limits visual inspection of the underside from above but is normal for this model and does not itself indicate any concern. For a prospective buyer, the fractured rear coil spring should drive a focused inspection of the remaining three springs, the shock absorbers, and the upper and lower suspension arms, as coil springs on this generation of Q5 are known to fail progressively rather than in isolation. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocking from the rear over speed humps and undulating surfaces, and pay particular attention to any sagging at the rear when the car is loaded, as a weakened opposing spring may not yet have fractured but could be close to its fatigue limit. The nearside front CV boot flagged as severely deteriorated should be examined in person by getting underneath the vehicle or using a borescope, looking for splits at the small end of the boot, missing or displaced retaining clips, and any black grease fling on the surrounding suspension or inner CV joint. On the road, a failing CV joint typically produces a rhythmic clicking under tight turning at low speed or a vibration through the drivetrain under hard acceleration. The earlier advisories from 2023 regarding both front tyres being worn close to the legal limit on their outer edges, combined with the 2024 advisory for an illuminated tyre pressure monitoring light, suggest a recurring pattern of uneven front tyre wear and a possible wheel alignment or tracking issue that has not yet been resolved within the recorded test history. On a test drive, the buyer should feel for steering pull to one side, uneven steering return after corners, or a vague off-centre feeling, any of which would indicate that the geometry has drifted and is prematurely consuming shoulder rubber. Additionally, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should include raising the vehicle to check for any play in the front wishbones, drop links, anti-roll bar bushings and rear trailing arm bushes, as the age and mileage, while modest, still place these components within their typical wear window. The exhaust system, subframe mounting points and brake flexipes should also be inspected for the early onset of surface corrosion, as these are the components most likely to begin deteriorating at this mileage band regardless of how gently the vehicle has been used.