2016 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · PL16 XVR

A consistent and clean DVSA record defines this 2016 Audi Q5, with every annual test since at least 2022 returning a pass and no advisories recorded at the most recent inspection on 8 July 2026. Across the visible history, the vehicle has not accumulated a single recorded structural, suspension, brake, exhaust, or lighting defect, which points to a stable mechanical condition rather than a pattern of deterioration. The only items flagged by testers are tyre-related advisories appearing intermittently on the rear axle and once on the offside front, alongside a minor stone chip noted on the windscreen in 2022. That singular, narrow category of advisories suggests the underlying brakes, undercarriage, and drivetrain have not produced tester-visible concerns over the four-year period covered by these records, supporting a view of sustained roadworthiness. With 77,943 miles accumulated over roughly a decade of use, this Q5 averages around 7,794 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical range for a privately owned SUV of its age. There are no extended gaps in the MOT testing sequence and no sudden jumps in recorded mileage between tests, indicating a steady pattern of regular use rather than long periods of standing or, conversely, high-mileage motorway running. This kind of moderate, consistent usage generally allows components such as the timing chain, quattro drivetrain, suspension bushes, and brake system to experience predictable wear without the extremes of either heat-soaked low-speed urban driving or the accelerated consumable replacement that comes with very high annual mileage. The mileage context therefore reinforces, rather than undermines, the clean test history. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection items should mirror exactly what the MOT history has flagged: the tyres. The recurring advisories on both rear tyres in 2024 and 2025, and the offside rear also in 2023, indicate a pattern of sidewall or tread surface degradation rather than a one-off event. On a physical inspection, examine the nearside and offside rear tyres closely for cracking, perishing, or bulges, particularly in the sidewall flex area, and confirm that the current tread depth is well above the legal 1.6 mm minimum, as perished rubber can compromise grip even with adequate tread. Tyres older than around five years from their production date warrant careful scrutiny regardless of remaining tread, so check the DOT date stamps on the sidewalls. Because the advisories have appeared on multiple occasions, it would be prudent to budget for a full set of replacements shortly after purchase if the current rubber is approaching the end of its service life. Beyond the documented tyre concerns, a test drive should focus on the dynamic symptoms associated with a ten-year-old Q5 of this mileage. Listen for clonks or creaks from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven B-road surfaces, as worn upper and lower wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and front subframe mounting bushes are common on Q5s in this age bracket and were not specifically flagged only because they had not yet reached advisory severity. Feel for vibration or judder through the steering wheel under light braking, which can indicate warped front brake discs, and listen for any graunching or binding from the rear calipers on a quiet pull-away, since rear brake seizure is a known issue on Quattro platforms. With the engine warm, check for any steady drip of coolant or oil underneath, verify smooth changes from the automatic transmission, and confirm that the quattro system engages without a noticeable shunt on wet grass or a loose-surface car park. Given the overall clean record, any such symptoms would represent emerging wear rather than neglected defects, but they remain the realistic mechanical watchpoints for a Q5 entering its second decade.