2012 Audi A8 3.0L Diesel · OU12 XBK

The 2012 Audi A8 presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 24 March 2026 at 161,788 miles with zero defects recorded. This follows a similarly clean pass on 19 March 2025 at 159,484 miles, indicating that the most recent keeper has addressed the suspension wear that plagued earlier tests. The vehicle's roadworthiness status is currently sound, with no outstanding advisories or failures to concern a prospective buyer. Mileage accumulation sits at roughly 11,556 miles per year, which is typical for a large executive saloon of this age. The record shows a notable jump of 10,383 miles between the March 2024 test at 149,101 miles and the March 2025 test at 159,484 miles, suggesting heavier use or a long-distance commute during that period. Prior to that, annual increments were more moderate, around 5,400 miles per year between 2023 and 2024. No significant gaps appear in the annual testing pattern, and the mileage progression reads as consistent and plausible. The most instructive data lies in the suspension faults. On 1 March 2023 at 143,684 miles, the car failed with excessively worn upper suspension arm pins or bushes on both front corners. By 16 March 2023, just fifteen days later, the car passed, confirming the arms or bushes were replaced. However, on 11 March 2024 at 149,101 miles, the nearside rear brake pads were flagged as wearing thin and the offside front suspension arm pin or bush was noted as worn but not yet excessive. This suggests the rear brakes were attended to before the March 2025 clean pass, while the front suspension wear was likely rectified ahead of the 2026 test. A buyer should still inspect the front suspension arms, bushes, and ball joints in person, paying close attention to the condition of the rear brake pads and discs given the recurring wear pattern. The nearside front tyre sidewall damage noted in 2024 also warrants a check that all four tyres are free from cracking, perishing, or uneven wear, particularly on the inner edges where such defects can hide.