2009 Audi A4 2.0L Diesel · SP09 ULL

The 2009 Audi A4 passed its most recent MOT on 14 April 2026 at 97,882 miles, but the record reveals a maintenance trend that is clearly worsening. The April 2026 test flagged a corroded rear coil spring and a rear tyre worn close to the legal limit, both new defects compared to the clean passes recorded in 2024 and 2025. This shift from two consecutive zero-defect tests to a pass with identifiable corrosion and wear items suggests the vehicle has entered a phase where age-related deterioration is beginning to outpace routine upkeep. The trend is not catastrophic, but it is no longer stable. The mileage profile tells a story of very light use. At roughly 5,758 miles per year over seventeen years, this A4 has covered less than half the national average annual distance. The record shows a gap of over four years between the August 2022 test at 75,334 miles and the March 2024 test at 86,056 miles, during which only 10,722 miles were added. A further 4,767 miles were covered between March 2024 and April 2025, before the odometer froze at 97,882 miles for the April 2026 test. That identical mileage figure between the 2025 and 2026 tests is unusual and warrants scrutiny. It may indicate a genuine period of non-use, a replacement instrument cluster, or a recording anomaly. Buyers should verify the vehicle's true condition and history against service records and the V5C logbook. The recurring theme across the MOT history is corrosion and suspension wear, not consumable neglect. The 2023 test at 79,263 miles was the most concerning, with advisories for corroded sub-frame areas, corroded suspension mounting points, and worn front upper suspension arm inner bushes. The sub-frame corrosion was noted as appearing close to the acceptable limit despite being painted and under-sealed, which raises questions about the quality of any previous repair or prevention work. The offside front suspension arm bush wear appeared in both 2022 and 2023, suggesting a component that degraded over time rather than failing suddenly. The rear coil spring corrosion flagged in April 2026 echoes the same defect noted in 2023, indicating a persistent vulnerability at the rear of the car. A buyer should focus the physical inspection on the underside and rear suspension. Check the rear sub-frame and its mounting points for fresh corrosion, flaking underseal, or signs of recent coating applied to mask deterioration. Examine both rear coil springs for pitting or scaling that could precede fracture. Inspect the offside front upper suspension arm bushes for play and the surrounding chassis areas for rust jacking. The rear tyre condition at the last test suggests alignment or suspension geometry issues may be causing uneven wear, so verify tyre condition and wheel alignment. Given the low mileage and the corrosion pattern, this car has likely spent periods standing still, which accelerates seal degradation and localised rust. A thorough underbody inspection by an independent specialist is strongly recommended before purchase.