2012 Audi A8 3.0L Diesel · OU12 XBS

The vehicle currently holds a valid MOT following a retest on 10 April 2026 at 84,878 miles. While the most recent result is a pass, the maintenance trend shows a sudden decline in attention to consumables. The April 2026 test initially resulted in a failure due to an inoperative registration plate lamp and two tyre defects, specifically a nearside rear tyre with tread depth below the 1.6mm legal limit and an offside rear tyre worn close to the limit. This follows three years of clean MOT certificates between June 2023 and April 2025, suggesting a recent lapse in basic upkeep. The mileage profile indicates a significant increase in usage over the last year. Between the 4 April 2025 test at 68,390 miles and the April 2026 test at 84,878 miles, the vehicle covered 16,488 miles in just twelve months. This is a sharp departure from the previous three years where annual mileage remained much lower, averaging roughly 1,500 to 1,700 miles per year. This sudden surge in driving intensity explains the recent tyre wear and suggests the vehicle is now being used more heavily than its historical average of approximately 6,000 miles per annum. A prospective buyer should focus on the condition of the tyres and wheel alignment. The fact that the offside rear tyre was flagged as worn on the edge during the April 2026 failure suggests potential tracking or suspension geometry issues. I recommend a thorough inspection of the suspension bushes and control arms to ensure the uneven wear is not caused by mechanical play. Given the recent high-mileage year, checking the brake pad thickness and disc condition is also prudent, as the increased usage will have accelerated the wear on these components compared to the previous period of light use.