2016 Audi A3 2.0L Diesel · SW16 FGA

The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the maintenance trend shows a shift toward mechanical wear-related failures. While the most recent test in February 2026 at 93,527 miles passed, the tester identified a perished offside front wishbone bush and a slightly binding nearside rear brake. These defects follow a failure in August 2025 where worn front brake discs and headlamp misalignment were flagged, indicating that the vehicle is now experiencing components reaching the end of their service life. The mileage pattern remains consistent with a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 9,350 miles per year. There is a notable jump in usage between August 2024 (75,285 miles) and August 2025 (88,114 miles), where the car covered over 13,000 miles in a single year. The subsequent interval of 5,413 miles leading to the 2026 test suggests a return to lower annual mileage, which explains the accelerated wear observed on the suspension and braking components. A buyer must inspect the front suspension thoroughly to ensure that the perished wishbone bush has not caused uneven tyre wear or steering geometry. The recurring issue of a binding rearside brake, noted in both 2025 and 2026, suggests a sticking caliper or a seized cylinder pin that requires attention beyond a simple adjustment. Given the previous failure for worn front discs, the remaining thickness of the current discs and the condition of the pads should be measured to ensure they were replaced correctly following the 2025 failure.