2012 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · RE12 UMU

The 2012 Audi A5 presents a stable and improving maintenance trend, culminating in a clean pass on 6 December 2025 at 92,544 miles with zero defects recorded. That result is particularly significant because it follows a failure just 24 hours earlier on 28 December 2022 at 72,357 miles, where the tester flagged a non-functioning offside rear position lamp and oil misting on both rear shock absorbers. The fact that the shock absorber oil misting has not reappeared in any subsequent test through to late 2025 suggests the rear dampers were either replaced or reconditioned after the 2022 failure, and the vehicle has since maintained a consistent record of passing without advisories or failures across four consecutive annual tests. The mileage accumulation tells a coherent story. Between December 2022 and December 2025, the car covered approximately 20,187 miles over three years, averaging around 6,729 miles annually. This aligns closely with the vehicle's lifetime average of roughly 6,610 miles per year across its fourteen-year lifespan, indicating steady, predictable use rather than prolonged standing or sudden high-mileage bursts. The annual test intervals fall consistently in late December each year, suggesting a single MOT renewal pattern with no gaps or missed years in the recorded history. From a mechanical standpoint, the 2022 failure remains the only blemish in an otherwise clean record, and it warrants attention during any pre-purchase inspection. The rear shock absorber oil misting flagged under section 5.3.2 (b) of the test criteria indicates the dampers were losing fluid at that time, which degrades damping performance and can affect tyre contact, braking distances, and ride stability. A buyer should physically inspect the rear suspension for fresh oil residue, corrosion on damper bodies, and condition of the coil springs and top mounts. The rear position lamp fault was minor, but checking the full rear light cluster for water ingress or wiring deterioration is still prudent on a fourteen-year-old vehicle. Beyond the flagged items, the clean recent record does not eliminate the need for a thorough underbody inspection. At 92,544 miles, consumable components such as brake discs, pads, tyres, suspension bushes, and exhaust mounting points will be subject to age-related wear regardless of MOT outcomes. Corrosion on subframes, sill edges, and around the rear arch liners is a known concern on vehicles of this era and mileage, and a prospective buyer should verify structural integrity in these areas before committing to purchase.