2014 Audi Q5 SE TDI Quattro Auto 2.0L Diesel · SFZ 2365

Five consecutive clean MOT passes stretching back to 2022, with the most recent test on 18 May 2026 recording no advisories, no failures, and no defects of any kind, point to a vehicle that has consistently met roadworthiness standards throughout the recent DVSA testing window. A clean bill on a 2014 Audi Q5 of this age is notable because the platform is known to surface advisories around suspension components, brake discs, and corrosion as mileage accumulates, yet this particular example has avoided even minor flagging across five successive annual tests. The absence of recorded corrosion, component wear, or fluid leakage on a twelve-year-old vehicle with four-wheel-drive hardware and a diesel drivetrain is a strong indicator of either careful mechanical upkeep or limited exposure to harsh winter road conditions, both of which are positive signs for a prospective buyer. With 92,824 miles on the odometer and twelve years of use, the vehicle has averaged roughly 7,735 miles annually, a figure that sits comfortably within the typical range for its age and class. There are no obvious gaps in the MOT history that would suggest extended periods off the road, no sudden mileage spikes between tests that might indicate clock inconsistency, and no year-on-year irregularities in the testing cadence. The annual accumulation is high enough to have exercised the drivetrain, brakes, and suspension components sufficiently to surface any latent defects, yet low enough to avoid the heavy wear typically associated with high-mileage diesel service use. This is essentially the mileage sweet spot for evaluating a used Q5: enough running to confirm mechanical functionality, but not so much that major service items such as the dual-mass flywheel, turbocharger, or timing chain have been pushed beyond their expected lifespans. That said, the pristine MOT paper trail must be weighed against the inherent mechanical characteristics of the 2014 Q5 TDI, particularly around the rear suspension multi-link geometry and front subframe mounting points. On a test drive, pay close attention to any knocking or clonking over uneven surfaces, particularly from the rear axle, as the rear trailing arm bushes and anti-roll bar drop links are known wear items on this platform that may not yet have crossed MOT advisory thresholds but can still produce audible symptoms. Similarly, listen for any clonking through the steering during full-lock manoeuvres or on transition between lock-to-lock, as the front track rod ends and upper wishbone bushes on the Q5 often begin to degrade before any MOT-detectable play becomes apparent. Any pulling to one side under braking, vibration through the steering wheel, or pulsing pedal feel should prompt inspection of the front brake discs, as Q5s of this generation are prone to disc warping once the discs wear beyond their service limit. Finally, the diesel-specific items warrant direct scrutiny on any inspection. Check for any soot residue around the turbocharger outlet and intercooler pipework, as well as any signs of oil seepage from the cam chain tensioner area at the rear of the engine block, both of which are well-documented weak points on the 2.0 TDI unit. On start-up from cold, listen for any rattling from the timing chain area that settles after a few seconds, as chain stretch on these engines can develop well before any MOT-relevant emissions failures appear. Verify that the four-wheel-drive system is engaging correctly by testing on a wet surface or loose ground, ensuring there is no binding from the centre Torsen differential or prop shaft universal joints. Inside the cabin, check for any flickering or failure of the infotainment and climate control displays, as MMI 3G components on this era of Audi are known to suffer from premature failure unrelated to mileage. With a clean MOT history but no guarantee of internal component condition, a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with the Q5 platform would be a prudent final step.