2014 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · WN14 VLU

A serious safety failure on 1 October 2024 and a cluster of drivetrain advisories on the most recent test define the mechanical narrative of this 2014 Audi A5. The October 2024 test produced a dangerous defect for rear brake pads below 1.5 mm, brake fluid significantly below the minimum mark, a nearside rear shock absorber damaged to the extent it would not function, an offside rear shock absorber with a serious fluid leak, and both front suspension arms damaged and seriously weakened. Within five days the vehicle was presented again, this time passing with no defects recorded, indicating that the braking and suspension components were replaced in a short, intensive repair. The 2025 record then reintroduced concerns: a stop lamp with multiple light sources partially failed, the offside outer drive shaft joint was flagged as worn and its constant velocity boot was recorded as severely deteriorated, and both front tyres were worn close to the legal limit on their edges. Two entries are recorded against 8 October 2025, one as a fail and one as a pass, both carrying identical advisories and minors, suggesting the lamp and CV boot issues were addressed only at or immediately around the test date. Recorded mileage of 112,562 against a 2014 registration equates to roughly 9,380 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a 12 year old vehicle. There are no extended gaps in the testing history, with annual or near annual entries from 2021 through 2025, so the car has not been laid up for prolonged periods. The relatively even annual accumulation means that wear items such as brake discs, pads, suspension bushes, coil springs, drive shaft boots, and engine ancillaries have been subjected to regular thermal cycling and mechanical load rather than the cold-start and corrosion stress associated with very low or interrupted use. Mechanically, this means consumable replacement should already have occurred at least once across the suspension and braking systems, which is consistent with the October 2024 rectification, but the recurrence of CV joint and tyre edge wear advisories within twelve months suggests that some components are deteriorating faster than expected for the mileage. A prospective buyer should focus their physical inspection on the suspension and braking components that have failed or been weakened. Both front suspension arms were recorded as damaged and seriously weakened in 2024, so check for any clonks or knocks from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and verify that the tracking is within tolerance, since worn or bent arms can cause steering pull and uneven inner or outer tyre wear, which ties into the edge wear advisories on the front tyres. Inspect the rear shock absorbers for any fresh oil misting or weeping around the shaft seals, and press down firmly on each rear corner to confirm the damping is firm without bouncing, as the previous dampers had both structural and fluid leak defects. The brake system should be examined with the wheels removed if possible to confirm pad and disc condition, as the rear pads had dropped below 1.5 mm dangerously, and the brake fluid should be checked for level and colour, since it was significantly below minimum in 2024. The drivetrain and electrical advisories are equally important to verify in person. The offside outer drive shaft joint was recorded as worn and its CV boot as severely deteriorated, which can allow grease to escape and contamination to enter the joint, accelerating wear. With the engine running and the steering turned to full lock either way, listen for a clicking or knocking from the offside front area and feel for any vibration through the steering or transmission tunnel, as these are typical symptoms of an advanced CV joint issue. Inspect the offside inner and outer CV boots for fresh grease deposits, splits, or perished rubber. The nearside stop lamp partial failure should also be confirmed resolved, since only half of a multiple light source was functioning, which can be a single bulb or LED element within the lamp unit. Finally, walk around the vehicle checking both front tyres for uneven inner or outer shoulder wear, as this pattern was specifically recorded, and confirm the age and condition of any replacement tyres fitted since the test.