2007 Audi A4 1.8L Petrol · OV57 LGL

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 12 May 2026, although four advisories were issued at that examination. These covered an oil leak not considered excessive, light oil misting on the offside front shock absorber, corrosion of the rear sub-frame not deemed seriously weakening, and slight deterioration of the rear registration plate. Looking at the broader test history, the trend is broadly stable, with clean passes recorded in 2023, 2024, and 2025, but the emergence of multiple advisories in both 2022 and 2026 suggests a degree of age-related wear beginning to surface, particularly within the suspension and underbody areas. The reappearance of an upper suspension arm pin or bush advisory on both sides in 2022, followed by shock absorber misting and sub-frame corrosion in 2026, indicates that the chassis and running gear are entering a phase where progressive attention will be required, even though nothing yet warrants a failure. With 150,135 miles recorded over approximately nineteen years, the vehicle has covered around 7,900 miles annually, which is a fairly typical rate for a car of this age. The mileage progression between tests appears consistent and gradual, with no extended gaps suggesting long periods of standing, nor any unusually rapid accumulation that might indicate harsh use. This steady usage pattern is mechanically favourable, as it tends to keep seals, drivetrain components, and the exhaust system working regularly, reducing the risk of severe corrosion from inactivity and the seizing of ancillaries such as brake calipers. For a prospective buyer, the advisories recorded warrant close physical attention. The oil leak flagged in 2026 should be investigated to establish its source, as even a minor leak from the cam chain tensioner, valve cover gasket, or turbo oil feed on TFSI variants can progress over time. A pre-purchase inspection should include checking the underside for fresh oil residue and the level and condition of the engine oil on the dipstick. The offside front shock absorber showing oil misting suggests the damper seal is beginning to fail; on a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking over bumps and observe whether the vehicle remains level under braking or stays composed through corners. The rear sub-frame corrosion, though not yet structurally serious, should be monitored, and it would be prudent to jack the vehicle and visually inspect for any surface scaling advancing into heavier section loss. The front upper suspension arm bushes flagged in 2022 may have deteriorated further by now, so listen for vague steering, uneven front tyre wear, or knocking from the front end over rough surfaces, and check the inner edges of the front tyres for feathering. Given the vehicle's age and mileage, even areas without recorded advisories deserve careful examination. Tyres should be inspected for sidewall perishing and cracking, as rubber degrades with time regardless of tread depth, and a nearly twenty year old car may still be running ageing tyres. The 12V battery should be load tested, as batteries typically fail after five to seven years and a weak one may not yet have caused starting issues. Brake discs should be checked for lipping and surface corrosion, particularly if the car has stood for any period, and the caliper sliders should be freed off to ensure even pad wear. Cooling system hoses, the timing chain area on petrol models, and all fluid services including brake fluid, coolant, and transmission oil should be verified against the manufacturer's intervals, as these degrade with calendar age rather than mileage. A thorough road test covering suspension, braking, steering, and drivetrain behaviour, combined with a raised inspection for any fluid leaks, corrosion progression, and exhaust integrity, would be strongly advisable before purchase.