2006 Audi A4 1.9L Diesel · RE56 HRA

The Audi A4’s MOT history presents a mixed but ultimately concerning picture, with the most recent test in January 2023—over three years ago—raising immediate questions about its ongoing roadworthiness. The January 2023 failure was due to a fractured offside rear coil spring, a critical suspension defect that would have required immediate rectification under DVSA rules. That the vehicle passed just seven days later suggests the spring was replaced, yet the absence of any further MOTs since then is a red flag. Without recent testing, there’s no evidence the underlying issue has been addressed or that other wear items—such as brake condition, suspension bushings, or exhaust emissions—have been monitored. The trend here is unstable at best, with the coil spring failure indicating either deferred maintenance or a structural weakness in the rear suspension that may recur. Mileage accumulation has been steady but unremarkable, with 5,219 miles logged between the January 2022 and January 2023 tests—a rate consistent with typical usage for a vehicle of this age. The total of 167,534 miles aligns with average longevity for a 20-year-old car, though the lack of intermediate MOTs means there’s no visibility on how components like tyres, brakes, or fluid levels have degraded over the past three years. Given the car’s age, a buyer should treat the mileage as a baseline rather than a guarantee of low wear, particularly if the vehicle has been stored or used intermittently. The most pressing concern is the rear suspension, where the fractured coil spring suggests potential for further fatigue in adjacent components—such as the control arm bushes or track rod ends. A thorough inspection should verify the condition of both rear coil springs, the integrity of the subframe, and any signs of binding in the rear brakes, which were not flagged but may have been exacerbated by uneven suspension loading. The front suspension, steering rack, and wheel bearings should also be checked for excessive play or corrosion, as these are common failure points in this model’s age group. Finally, given the extended MOT gap, fluid levels—brake, coolant, and power steering—should be confirmed as part of a pre-purchase check, alongside a visual inspection for rust penetration in the sills, wheel arches, or exhaust system.