2010 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · OV10 AEY

The most recent MOT test on 15 January 2026 resulted in a pass, which is reassuring, but the overall trend across the past two years warrants careful attention. The 2026 pass carried four advisories, all relating to brake disc wear on both front and both rear corners, and these advisories were also repeated on the immediately preceding test dated 9 January 2026, which failed only on a minor tyre under-inflation issue. Looking back to the January 2025 test, there is a further advisory concerning nearside front lower suspension arm bush wear and a fluctuating nearside front service brake, alongside a minor windscreen chip. A clean pass was recorded in January 2024, although an earlier test on the same date recorded dangerous failures for both rear tyres being below the legal tread depth of 1.6mm. Taken as a whole, the maintenance picture is stable rather than deteriorating, but there is a clear pattern of wear accumulating on the braking and suspension components that a prospective buyer should not ignore. The recorded mileage of 124,729 miles on a 2010 Audi Q5 equates to an annual average of approximately 7,796 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and consistent with moderate mixed-use driving rather than long-term standing or exceptionally heavy motorway work. There are no significant mileage gaps evident between consecutive MOT entries, which suggests the vehicle has been in regular use and is unlikely to suffer from the usual problems associated with prolonged inactivity such as seized brake calipers, perished rubber components, or stale fluids. However, at this cumulative mileage, the wear seen on the brake discs and suspension components is entirely consistent with expectations for a 15 to 16 year old premium SUV, and consumable replacement intervals are now drawing close. Regarding the recurring advisories, the brake disc wear observations across all four corners are a particularly important consideration. Audi Q5 front discs are of a ventilated type and rear discs are typically solid, and the advisory wording indicates wear that has not yet crossed into an MOT failure category but warrants monitoring. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for brake shudder under firm application, which would indicate disc runout or uneven wear, and should feel for any pulling to one side which could suggest a binding caliper. Given the cumulative mileage and the advisory pattern across two consecutive tests, budgeting for a full set of discs and pads within the next service interval would be prudent. The nearside front lower suspension arm bush wear advisory from January 2025 should also be investigated, as worn rear inner bushes on the front lower arms are a known wear point on this platform. Symptoms to listen for include clonking noises from the front suspension over speed bumps, vague steering response, and uneven tyre wear particularly on the inner or outer edges. Beyond the recorded advisories, the age and mileage of this vehicle dictate a number of age-related inspections that should be carried out regardless of MOT history. The tyres, although not flagged at the most recent test, should be examined for sidewall cracking and perishing given the vehicle's age, as rubber compounds degrade over time even with limited mileage. The 12 volt battery should be load tested, as batteries beyond five to six years of age frequently fail without warning, particularly in vehicles with complex electronic systems such as the Q5. Coolant, brake fluid, and automatic gearbox fluid (where applicable) should all be checked for evidence of recent servicing, as these are time rather than mileage dependent items that must be replaced at calendar-based intervals. A thorough inspection underneath the vehicle for any fluid leaks, corrosion to the underbody and suspension components, and condition of the exhaust system including the mounting rubbers is highly recommended given the vehicle's age, and a compression test or diagnostic scan for any stored fault codes would provide additional reassurance before committing to purchase.