2017 Audi A4 1.4L Petrol · VN67 AAF

The most recent DVSA examination on 20 March 2026 resulted in a pass, although three advisories were issued concerning the front brake discs showing pitting and scoring, the front brake pads thinning, and the tyre pressures registering low on the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Reviewing the sequence of tests, the overall maintenance trend is best described as one of gentle deterioration rather than a stable or improving picture. A clean pass was recorded as recently as March 2024, but since then brake-related advisories have appeared consistently, culminating in a March 2025 fail when the offside rear inner pad wore down to its wear indicator, followed by a pass with renewed front pad warnings and now the addition of disc surface wear. This trajectory points to a braking system that is now in the final third of its service life and is likely to require attention within the next service interval, particularly on the front axle. Against a nine-year build age, the recorded mileage of 63,987 miles equates to an average of roughly 7,110 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with the national average for a vehicle of this type and age. The pattern of annual MOT entries shows broadly consistent yearly mileage accumulation with no extended gaps that would suggest prolonged standing, nor any abrupt jumps that would indicate unusually heavy use. Mechanically, this is a reasonably favourable position, as regular running tends to keep seals, brakes, and drivetrain components exercised. However, for a 2017 Audi A4 approaching a decade of service, attention should still be given to time-served items irrespective of the odometer reading, including coolant, brake fluid, and automatic transmission fluid degradation, as well as the natural ageing of rubber and electrical components. With regard to the specific advisories, the front brake disc wear flagged in 2026 warrants close scrutiny. Pitted and scored discs on a vehicle of this mileage are common and, while classed as not seriously weakened at test, the scoring can accelerate pad wear further and reduce braking efficiency in wet conditions. On a test drive, listen for brake shudder or vibration through the steering wheel under firm application, and feel for the pedal pulsing, both of which suggest the disc surface has deteriorated beyond a simple rectification. The thinning front pads noted in both 2025 and 2026 should now be measured directly during a pre-purchase inspection, and budget should be set aside for a front disc and pad replacement if the discs are found to be at or near their minimum thickness after machining. The rear offside inner pad that failed in March 2025 should be confirmed as having been renewed and the wear indicator reset, as a recurrence would suggest a seized caliper mechanism. Beyond the recorded defects, a vehicle of this vintage and mileage warrants a number of physical checks that will not necessarily appear in the MOT record. The tyres, although not flagged recently for tread depth, should be inspected for sidewall cracking or perishing consistent with age, as rubber compounds degrade over time regardless of wear. The 12-volt battery is approaching the end of its typical service life and should be load tested, particularly as Audi electrical systems are sensitive to voltage drop. A thorough inspection beneath the vehicle for oil leaks from the camchain tensioner area, coolant weepage from the water pump and thermostat housing, and any corrosion of the underbody and suspension arms is advisable, as the B9 platform is known to suffer from front suspension component wear around this age. Finally, request evidence of recent cambelt or timing chain inspection, brake fluid renewal, and any DSG or multitronic gearbox service records, as these are high-cost items on this model that would be expected to have been addressed within the vehicle's lifetime.