2015 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · RF65 SWO

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 14 December 2025, although four advisories were issued during the examination. Reviewing the broader DVSA history, the Audi has demonstrated a broadly stable maintenance trend, having passed every test since the single major failure recorded in November 2019, which related only to a non-functional offside side repeater lamp. The 2021 test produced a pair of tyre-related advisories, after which no further defects were recorded until the 2025 examination introduced a combination of suspension, structural corrosion, and tyre advisories. The sudden appearance of multiple advisories in the latest test, following four completely clean examinations, suggests that underlying wear has begun to accelerate rather than that the vehicle has been neglected, and a prospective buyer should treat this as an early warning of progressive deterioration rather than a one-off anomaly. With 175,096 miles recorded against an age of approximately eleven years, this A5 has covered around 15,918 miles annually, which is noticeably above the average for a premium coupe of this era. The mileage progression through the MOT records appears consistent and unbroken, indicating regular rather than sporadic use, which is generally favourable for mechanical longevity as components such as seals, bearings, and brake hydraulics have remained active. However, high sustained mileage places greater demand on the engine, gearbox, drivetrain, suspension, and braking components, all of which will have accrued considerable wear. The annual figure is high enough that major service items such as timing chains, turbochargers, dual-clutch components, and rear differential mountings should already have been addressed or are due imminently, and any missing documented service history should be viewed as a significant concern. The most recent advisories are mechanically significant and warrant close physical inspection. The advisory concerning corroded rear subframe mounting prescribed areas is particularly important, as although the examiner deemed it not excessive at present, subframe corrosion on transverse-linked platforms can progress rapidly, especially in regions subjected to winter road salt. A buyer should request the vehicle be placed on a ramp to inspect the rear axle subframe mounting points for advanced scaling, paint bubbling, or section loss, and should listen for clonking or knocking noises over speed humps and uneven surfaces, as these would indicate compromised structural integrity or worn mounting bushes. The two upper suspension arm pin or bush advisories suggest that the front suspension geometry is beginning to wear, and any uneven or feathered tyre wear, vague steering response, or audible thuds from the front end during a test drive would confirm that replacement is now required. The nearside front tyre advisory for wear close to the legal limit and edge wear indicates that suspension geometry is affecting tyre life and that a four-wheel alignment check should be carried out alongside any bush replacement. Beyond the recorded defects, the mileage and age profile demand a thorough age-related inspection regardless of MOT outcome. Brake discs are highly susceptible to corrosion on a vehicle that has covered this many miles, particularly on a car frequently driven in wet conditions, so the discs should be checked for lipping, surface pitting, and binding calipers, which would manifest as pulling to one side or a dragging sensation after release. The 12V battery should be load-tested, as eleven-year-old units frequently retain surface charge but fail under demand, and all fluid services including brake fluid, coolant, and automatic or dual-clutch transmission fluid should be verified by service records, since brake fluid is hygroscopic and should have been renewed at least every two years, while coolant loses protective properties over calendar time. Tyres should be examined for sidewall perishing and cracking regardless of tread depth, as high-mileage Audi tyres often degrade from age long before they wear out, and the spare or inflation kit should be checked for viability. Finally, ensure the timing chain, turbocharger actuator, and DSG or multitronic service intervals have been documented, as neglect of these on a high-mileage example can lead to repair costs that far exceed the vehicle's residual value.