2009 Audi Q5 2.0L Diesel · YR59 GZW

The 2009 Audi Q5 presents a mixed but recently stabilised maintenance picture. The most recent MOT on 20 March 2025 at 120,696 miles passed cleanly with zero defects, a marked improvement over the preceding test just five days earlier on 15 March 2025 at 120,693 miles, which failed on six separate items. That March 2025 failure is significant: the tester flagged perishing on all four tyres, a split offside front CV joint boot, thin rear brake pads, an inoperative rear registration plate lamp, and play in the nearside front steering rack inner joint. The fact that all of these were rectified within five days suggests the previous owner addressed the failures promptly rather than deferring them. However, the nature of the defects, particularly four degraded tyres and steering rack play, raises questions about routine upkeep in the period leading up to that test. The mileage progression tells a coherent story. Between the August 2023 failures at roughly 117,945 miles and the March 2025 tests at 120,693 miles, the vehicle covered approximately 2,750 miles over nineteen months, a low annualised rate of around 1,700 miles. This is well below the vehicle's lifetime average of roughly 7,100 miles per year, indicating either a change in ownership pattern or a period of reduced use. The gap between the September 2023 pass at 118,001 miles and the March 2025 test at 120,693 miles spans eighteen months with no recorded intermediate test, which is not unusual for a vehicle that may have sat unused for extended periods. Low-mileage storage can itself accelerate tyre perishing and cause brake seizure or corrosion, which aligns with the March 2025 failure profile. The recurring fault pattern across the 2023 tests is worth examining. On 2 August 2023 at 117,945 miles, the tester flagged severely deteriorated CV boots, light oil misting on both rear shock absorbers, thin rear brake pads, and excessive play in the offside front track rod end ball joint. When the vehicle returned on 9 September 2023 at 118,001 miles, the track rod end play remained unresolved and the vehicle failed again, though the tester noted the CV boot had deteriorated further rather than being replaced. This suggests a piecemeal approach to repairs at that time, with some items addressed between the two August and September tests while the track rod end was not. The rear shock absorber oil misting appeared consistently across both August and September 2023 tests, indicating a gradual decline rather than a sudden failure, yet it does not reappear in the 2025 records, implying eventual replacement. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on three areas. First, the front suspension and steering: the repeated CV boot failures and the 2025 steering rack inner joint play point to a history of neglect on drivetrain and steering components. Check for clacking over uneven surfaces and inspect the rack gaiters for splits or grease loss. Second, the rear suspension: the 2023 oil misting on both rear shock absorbers, if left unrepaired, would compromise damping and tyre contact. Bounce-test the rear corner and look for uneven tyre wear. Third, the braking system: thin rear brake pads appeared in both 2023 and 2025 failures, and the 2025 test also flagged binding rear brakes as a defect. Inspect the rear caliper slide pins for free movement and check the disc faces for scoring or lipping. The four perished tyres in March 2025, now presumably replaced, should be checked for date codes to confirm they are a matching recent set rather than a budget afterthought.