2016 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · WM16 OFP

This 2016 Audi Q5 passed its most recent MOT on 2nd May 2026 at 106,825 miles, but the maintenance trend is clearly worsening rather than stable. Just one day prior, on 1st May 2026, the same vehicle failed with excessively worn front lower suspension arm rear bushes on both sides, a defect that had escalated from the advisory-level wear noted in May 2025. The tester also flagged a below-minimum nearside rear tyre and an offside rear tyre on 2.5mm, indicating the previous owner deferred tyre replacements right up to the failure point. The May 2026 pass appears to have been achieved after remedial work, yet advisories persist for both front upper suspension arm bushes, a distorted nearside front wheel, and a nearside front brake pad worn to its indicator. The vehicle is currently roadworthy, but the pattern suggests reactive rather than preventive maintenance. The mileage accumulation is broadly typical for a ten-year-old vehicle at roughly 10,682 miles per year. The record shows a jump of 4,139 miles between May 2025 and May 2026, up from the 4,306 miles covered in the prior twelve-month period, so usage has remained consistent without dramatic spikes or suspicious gaps. The MOT history itself is well-documented with annual tests and no missing years, giving a reliable picture of the vehicle's mechanical trajectory over its life. A buyer should pay close attention to the front suspension. The lower arm rear bushes progressed from advisory wear in May 2025 to an outright failure in May 2026, and the upper arm bushes have been flagged as worn across three consecutive tests dating back to May 2025. This points to a front suspension system that is approaching the point of more extensive rebuild work. The distorted nearside front wheel also warrants inspection, as it may indicate kerb impact damage or an underlying issue with the rim that could cause ongoing tyre wear or vibration at speed. The braking system and tyres also deserve scrutiny. The nearside front brake pad was recorded as worn to its wear indicator in both May 2026 tests, and the rear tyres were either below the legal minimum or dangerously close to it at the May 2026 failure. Uneven outer-edge wear across multiple tyres, noted repeatedly since April 2024, suggests possible wheel alignment issues or worn suspension geometry that has not been corrected. A thorough inspection of the front subframe, ball joints, and wheel tracking, along with a check for any corrosion on structural mounting points, would be prudent before purchase.