2009 Audi A6 2.7L Diesel · OV58 EOK

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 16 July 2026 with only a minor advisory recorded in respect of both side repeater lights, where one of the multiple light sources was not functioning. This is a cosmetic and visibility item that does not affect structural or mechanical roadworthiness, though it should be rectified. Looking at the broader trend, the history shows two clean passes in 2020 and 2023, interspersed with very minor advisories relating to a registration plate lamp and a child seat obscuring belt inspection, before a more significant cluster of defects emerged in 2025. The July 2025 test initially failed on major items concerning both front lower suspension arm ball joint dust covers and a non-functioning centre rear seat belt buckle, followed by a pass the next day with advisories for worn front upper suspension arm pins or bushes. While the recent pass is positive, the appearance of suspension-related advisories after years of largely clean records warrants close attention, as it suggests the front suspension is now entering a wear phase typical of higher-mileage vehicles of this age. With 110,396 miles recorded over approximately seventeen years, the vehicle has averaged around 6,494 miles annually, which is broadly typical for a privately owned executive saloon of this vintage. There are no significant gaps in the MOT record suggesting long periods off-road, and no evidence of rapid mileage accumulation that would point to high commercial or motorway use. The relatively modest annual mileage does, however, mean that some calendar-based degradation should be considered alongside mechanical wear. Fluids such as brake fluid, coolant, and the automatic transmission fluid (if fitted) will degrade with time regardless of distance covered, and a seventeen-year-old vehicle will be well past the original service intervals for many of these items, even if the mileage appears proportionate. Given the advisory items recorded on the front upper suspension arm pins and bushes, a prospective buyer should carry out a thorough physical inspection and test drive paying particular attention to the front suspension. On the road, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over uneven surfaces, speed humps, and during sharp low-speed steering inputs, as worn upper arm bushes commonly produce such symptoms. Visually inspect the inner front arches and under-bonnet turret areas for any oily residue around the suspension arms, perished or cracked rubber bushes, and excessive movement when the wheels are levered by hand with the car raised. Although the previous ball joint dust cover failures were rectified for the subsequent pass, dust cover damage allows contamination of the ball joint, accelerating wear, so it is worth checking that the replacements are intact and that the joints themselves do not exhibit any play. Uneven front tyre wear, particularly inner-edge feathering, can also indicate suspension bush deterioration. Beyond the recorded suspension concerns, the age and mileage profile warrant several general inspections. Check all tyres, including the spare, for sidewall cracking and perishing, which is common on older vehicles even where tread depth remains adequate, and verify that the production date codes on the sidewalls are not excessively old. Inspect the brake discs for severe corrosion at the outer edges, as standing periods combined with age can lead to pitted or corroded disc surfaces that may cause judder under braking. Test the 12V battery under load, as original-equipment batteries in vehicles of this age are typically well past their service life, and verify the service history to confirm that brake fluid, coolant, and if applicable the timing belt and automatic transmission fluid have been changed at the correct calendar intervals. Finally, examine the underside for any fluid leaks, paying particular attention to the engine oil sump, cooling system, and suspension dampers, and confirm that all seat belts, including the centre rear unit that previously failed, retract and latch correctly.