2018 Audi A5 2.0L Petrol · R40 RAG

The most recent MOT, conducted on 24 June 2026, resulted in a pass but recorded two advisories – a slightly damaged or perishing sidewall on the near‑side rear outer tyre and a seized near‑side rear head‑lamp level sensor. Prior to that the car passed in 2025, 2024 and 2023 with no defects, but it did fail in July 2025 for a major off‑side rear coil‑spring fracture. The failure appears to have been remedied, as subsequent tests have shown no further structural faults, indicating that the vehicle’s maintenance trajectory is now stable and trending towards improvement after the significant suspension repair. At 58,399 miles the 2018 Audi A5 averages roughly 7,300 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical usage envelope for a vehicle of its age. There are no evident large mileage gaps that would suggest prolonged periods of inactivity, nor is there any indication of accelerated wear from excessive mileage. Consequently the wear on consumables such as brake pads, tyres and engine oil should be commensurate with an eight‑year‑old car that has seen moderate use, rather than the accelerated degradation seen on high‑kilometre units. Prospective buyers should give particular attention to the rear suspension and tyre condition. The previous off‑side rear coil‑spring fracture suggests that the rear suspension may have been subjected to a load incident; verify that the replacement spring is of correct specification and that the associated mounting points, rear lower control‑arm bushings and rear shock absorbers are free of play, creaking or uneven bounce. On a test drive listen for any clunk or thump when traversing bumps, and check that the car tracks straight without pulling. Inspect the near‑side rear tyre for any visible sidewall cracking, bulges or loss of tread depth; a perishing sidewall can rapidly progress to a tyre failure, especially under load. Confirm that the tyre pressure matches the manufacturer’s recommendation and that the tread depth exceeds 1.6 mm across the tread width. In addition to the tyre and suspension items, the seized head‑lamp level sensor should be examined for proper operation, as a non‑functional sensor can affect adaptive lighting and may be symptomatic of broader electrical gremlins. Verify that all exterior lighting functions correctly and that the sensor can be calibrated or replaced if required. Given the vehicle’s age, a comprehensive check of time‑sensitive components is prudent: assess the 12‑volt battery’s cranking voltage and electrolyte level, inspect brake discs for surface corrosion or scoring, and ensure that brake fluid, engine oil and coolant have been refreshed within the recommended service intervals. Finally, request a full service history to confirm that oil changes, filter replacements and any suspension work were recorded, providing confidence that the car has been maintained in line with Audi’s specifications.