2008 Audi A5 4.2L Petrol · R3 TMC

The most recent MOT, passed on 20 January 2025 at 165,799 miles, is now over 17 months old relative to the current date of 18 June 2026. That is a significant gap for a vehicle of this age and mileage, and no subsequent test record exists to confirm its ongoing roadworthiness. The maintenance trend across the full history is stable but not improving. Recurring advisories for worn lower suspension arm rear bushes on both sides appeared in both the January 2024 and January 2025 tests, indicating a persistent issue that was monitored rather than permanently rectified. A separate failure on 16 January 2023 for a fractured offside front coil spring and excessively worn upper suspension arm bushes was addressed before the pass three days later, but the lower rear bush wear has since returned as a standing advisory. The exhaust has been flagged as noisy in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting a gradual deterioration rather than a one-off repair. The mileage progression is consistent and unremarkable for an 18-year-old vehicle. Between the January 2023 pass at 158,191 miles and the January 2024 test at 162,080 miles, the car covered approximately 3,889 miles in twelve months. The January 2025 test then recorded 165,799 miles, a further 3,719 miles over roughly one year. Annual use of around 3,700 to 3,900 miles is low compared to the typical UK average, yet the MOT record shows this has not prevented steady wear on suspension components and the exhaust system. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden jumps in the odometer readings, and the mileage progression aligns with the test dates. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the front suspension and sub-frame area. The repeated advisories for lower suspension arm rear bushes, combined with the 2023 failure for a broken coil spring and excessively worn upper arm bushes, point to a front end that has taken sustained stress. Check the condition of all front wishball joints, arm bushes, and coil springs for fresh cracking or sag. The rear sub-frame was noted as corroded but not seriously weakened in January 2024; with over a year elapsed since the last test, that corrosion should be re-examined closely, particularly around mounting points and cross-members. The exhaust noise advisory appearing in consecutive years suggests a possible small leak or deteriorating silencer, so a cold-start exhaust check is advisable. Outer body structure on the offside front sill was recorded as deformed in January 2025, and while the tester judged structural rigidity not significantly reduced, any fresh damage or fresh corrosion around that area warrants close scrutiny. Tyre condition advisories in 2025 for cracking and perishing on both fronts indicate the rubber may have been sitting for extended periods, so check sidewall age codes and tread depth carefully.