2020 Audi A5 Sport 35 TDI Mhev S-A 2.0L Diesel · SA70 ATO

The defining mechanical story for this 2020 Audi A5 Sportback is a pattern of recurring tyre and emissions-related advisories that have appeared across multiple tests, culminating in an MOT failure on 29 September 2025 before the vehicle was successfully re-presented and passed later the same day. The failure itself was relatively minor, centred on an insufficient windscreen washer supply, but the underlying pattern is more noteworthy: the same nearside rear tyre has been flagged for outer wall damage and heavy scrubbing on both the 2024 and 2025 tests, and a TPMS warning lamp was also noted at the most recent assessment. The earlier 2023 failure was more significant, recording a Major defect for an inoperative or malfunctioning engine management indicator lamp, paired with advisories for inner-edge wear on both front tyres and perishing on the fronts and nearside rear. While the current roadworthy status is positive, the recurring tyre wear locations and repeat monitoring warnings suggest persistent chassis geometry or driver-related characteristics that any buyer should investigate rather than dismiss as isolated events. Mileage accumulation across the recorded tests is broadly consistent with the vehicle's age. The latest odometer reading stands at 44,996 miles over approximately six years, equating to an annual average of around 7,500 miles, which is broadly typical for a diesel automatic of this type. The MOT records themselves cover the period from September 2023 to September 2025, a relatively tight three-year window with no extended gaps in testing that would suggest prolonged standing off-road, and the mileage progression between annual tests appears steady and proportionate. There are no sudden jumps in the odometer figures that would indicate clocking concerns, and no test gaps that would typically raise concerns about seized brakes, perished rubber components, or a discharged high-voltage battery in the mild-hybrid system. At this mileage level, the typical wear items on a TDi powertrain such as dual-mass flywheel condition, EGR carbon accumulation, and diesel particulate filter loading should remain within serviceable limits, though the MHEV system does warrant confirmation that the 48V ancillary components have been operating without fault. From a buyer inspection standpoint, the repeat advisory on the nearside rear tyre is the most actionable lead. Heavy scrubbing and outer-wall damage on the same corner across two consecutive tests suggests a possible tracking misalignment, a tired rear suspension bush, or a slightly bent component following an unseen kerb impact. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the rear over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any lateral instability or wandering at motorway speeds, particularly under braking. The front tyres showing inner-edge wear in 2023 points toward camber geometry concerns, which on this platform often traces back to worn front suspension linkages, control arm bushes, or top mounts; any looseness or knocking through the steering over rough tarmac would warrant further investigation. The engine management lamp failure from 2023 should also be probed, as a recurring MIL illumination on a TDi unit can stem from EGR valve sticking, DPF restriction, or turbocharger-related sensor faults, even when the lamp was subsequently extinguished. Finally, the persistent TPMS warning lamp noted in the 2025 test is a practical concern that needs resolving prior to purchase, as it may indicate a failing sensor in one of the wheels, a system fault following a recent tyre change, or incorrect tyre pressures being detected. Confirm during a pre-purchase inspection that all four sensors are present and functioning, and verify the pressures are correctly set against the door-sticker specification. The minor washer failure on the failed presentation is itself trivial and was evidently remedied before the same-day pass, but it serves as a reminder that the vehicle should be inspected with a fully replenished washer system. Beyond the specific flagged items, a thorough check of the brake discs and pads for corrosion pitting around the outer edges, the underside exhausts and subframe mounting points for early surface corrosion, and the condition of the front wipers and headlamp washers would round out a sensible assessment of this particular vehicle.