2014 Audi Q5 3.0L Diesel · SL04 TON

The most recent DVSA examination on 28 August 2025 resulted in a PASS, with no defects or advisories recorded against the vehicle. Looking back through the documented test history, the 2014 Audi Q5 has demonstrated a stable and reassuring maintenance profile, passing its annual assessments in 2025, 2024, 2022, and on two occasions in 2023, with only a single failure noted on 17 October 2023. Importantly, that earlier failure was followed by a retest pass just two days later on 19 October 2023, and no defect details were captured in either entry, which suggests the issue was minor and readily rectified. The absence of any advisories across all recorded tests indicates that the examiner did not identify components approaching the legal minimum, such as tyres, brake pads, discs, or suspension parts, which is a positive indicator of overall mechanical upkeep. Turning to the recorded mileage of 70,951 miles over a twelve-year lifespan, this equates to an average annual usage of approximately 5,913 miles, which is well below the national norm and substantially lower than what is typical for a premium SUV of this vintage. While lower mileage can reduce wear on major drivetrain components such as the engine, gearbox, and clutch, it also introduces the risk of issues associated with prolonged standing or infrequent use. Rubber and polymer components can deteriorate through age rather than use, and components reliant on regular heat cycles or fluid movement may suffer from degradation when the vehicle is left idle for extended periods. The mileage progression should be verified against the MOT records to ensure the readings are continuous and consistent, as any unexplained gaps could warrant further investigation. Given the clean MOT record and the low annual mileage, particular attention during a physical inspection should be directed towards the condition of the tyres. Even with adequate tread depth, a vehicle of this age is susceptible to sidewall perishing, cracking, and ozone-related degradation, particularly if it has spent time parked outdoors or in damp conditions. All four tyres, including the spare if applicable, should be examined for hairline cracks, bulging, or signs of age-hardening, and the date codes on the sidewalls should be checked to confirm they have not exceeded six years of service. Similarly, the brake discs, especially on a vehicle that may have stood for periods, can suffer from surface corrosion and pitting. During a test drive, any signs of brake shudder, vibration through the pedal under firm application, or pulling to one side should be noted, as these may indicate corroded discs, seized caliper slide pins, or sticking caliper pistons that have not been regularly exercised. The 12-volt battery is another critical item on a low-mileage, older vehicle, as prolonged standing without regular charging leads to sulphation, reduced capacity, and eventual failure. The battery should be load-tested and its age verified by examining the date stamp on the casing. In addition, the service history should be scrutinised to confirm that time-based maintenance items have been carried out regardless of low mileage, including engine oil and filter changes, brake fluid replacement (typically every two years due to its hygroscopic nature), coolant renewal, and if applicable, automatic transmission fluid and filter servicing. The timing chain, tensioner, and guides on the 2.0 TFSI or 3.0 TDI engines commonly fitted to the Q5 should be inspected or have their replacement history verified, as these components are known wear items irrespective of mileage. Finally, a thorough underbody examination for any emerging corrosion, paying close attention to suspension arms, subframes, and mounting points, would be prudent given the vehicle's age, and any test drive should be conducted over varied road surfaces to identify suspension knocks, creaks, or unusual drivetrain noises consistent with age-related wear.