2017 Audi A4 1.4L Petrol · ND66 RRO

A consistent theme running through this Audi A4's MOT history is one of mechanical restraint, with no failures recorded across seven tests and a tightly clustered group of advisories confined almost entirely to the front brake discs and the rear tyres. The most recent test on 20 January 2026 passed, but the examiner flagged that the front brake discs are worn, pitted or scored, though not judged seriously weakened at that point. Given that brake disc deterioration is progressive and that the vehicle has now covered in the region of 24,000 miles, this advisory should be regarded as a leading indicator rather than a minor footnote. The rear tyre cracking advisories from 2021 have recurred in 2026, suggesting a persistent issue with sidewall perishing on this particular set or a recurring storage or inflation-related factor that has not yet been resolved. Valve stem damage on both front wheels was also newly noted in 2026, which is a small but worth-pointing-out item that can lead to slow pressure loss if not corrected. The usage profile of this A4 is unusually light for a nine-year-old vehicle, with only 23,905 miles on the odometer and an average accumulation of roughly 2,656 miles per year. This is well below the typical annual mileage for a car of this class and age, and it points to either extended periods of light use or significant standing time between drives. From a mechanical standpoint, very low mileage on a modern Audi brings specific considerations: brake discs and pads can suffer from corrosion and pitting through lack of regular use rather than wear from driving, which is consistent with the disc condition noted at the 2026 test. Seals, gaskets and rubber components throughout the engine, suspension and drivetrain can also degrade with long periods of inactivity, and low-mileage turbocharged petrols in particular can suffer from oil starvation if the vehicle is only ever used for short journeys. On a physical inspection, particular attention should be paid to the front brake discs, looking for visible lipping, a pronounced ridge at the outer edge, and any blueing or heat marks that would suggest the discs have been subjected to heavy braking from cold. A firm press of the brake pedal at low speed should produce a smooth, progressive response without judder through the steering wheel, which would indicate disc run-out or thickness variation. The rear tyres should be examined closely for sidewall cracking, checking both the visible outer surface and, where possible, the inner sidewall which often deteriorates first, and the tread depth should be measured with a gauge given that the front tyres were noted as being only marginally above the legal limit in 2020. The valve stems on both front wheels should be inspected for perished rubber or any signs of slow leakage, and a simple check of tyre pressures before and after a short drive can confirm whether the seals are holding correctly. Given the low annual mileage, the test drive should also focus on components that suffer from standing rather than wear. Listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn or stiff bushes, droplinks or top mount bearings that have hardened with age rather than usage. Steering should feel precise and self-centring without vagueness or rattle, and the engine should be allowed to reach full operating temperature to check for any smoke from the exhaust, unusual cooling fan activity or warning lights on the dashboard. Given the recurring rear tyre advisories over a five-year span, it would be prudent to budget for a full set of replacement tyres at the point of purchase, and to factor in a brake disc replacement on the front axle within the next service interval if the pitting and scoring noted in January 2026 have progressed further in the months since.