Faults:

Nothing went wrong with the car. Just basic maintenance. Oil changes every 12 months. Tires, filter, oil, battery, brake pads; that's it.

General Comments:

My dad purchased the car new. I also drove it a lot over 13 years every now and then, so I see myself as being in a good enough position to comment.

It's the very basic model of the 2006 year with the 1.6 8v engine. Needless to say, the car is not a rocket with this engine, and not a good motorway kilometer eater either, as it drives at 85 km/h at 3000 RPM in the highest gear. It's a 5 speed manual.

It's OK in the city and around town, and although not a rocket, can still be driven on long journeys as long as you do not plan to run for hours at higher speeds (110 and above).

It's a very basic car by 2019 standards, and even by 2006's. It has electric windows, power steering, air con, CD player, reverse park sensor... and that's all. This in return, combined with a basic and years long proofed engine/gearbox, makes it a trouble free vehicle.

Pros:

- Reliability.

- General comfort (once you get used to the hard seats).

Cons:

- Interior space and general inside arrangement is very claustrophobic. I know that they make it like that to give occupants an impression of security, but I hate that. Footwell too narrow, right leg clashing with the center console.

Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes, for those that only drive in city / town and only drive on secondary roads. Yes, again, with this engine and minimum interior equipment, it would be as trouble free as a Toyota and run forever.

Would I buy one for myself? NO WAY. For the same money I prefer 2.3 turbo Saabs or 159s.

Faults:

Oil level sensor replaced under warranty twice. Pesky low oil warning keeps coming on, even when the dipstick is at Max, and gets worse as the oil ages and the car is close to a service. Have been subsequently told that "they all do this"... annoying nevertheless.

Oil consumption heavy - about 1.5L per 10,000 miles - hasn't settled down yet, even after 50,000.

Rear brake pads gone at 53,000 - strange booming noise coming from the rear of the car was the warning sign.

Front tyres wear out after 12,000 miles, rears last about 20,000.

General Comments:

Very nippy - uses the 140bhp 2.0 TDI. Usual Audi nose-heavy handling, never going to be a BMW chaser unless it's a quattro. Gearshift graunchy when cold - but is very slick otherwise.

Saloon practicality poor. Boot lid has a narrow opening, and for some bizarre reason, a folding rear seat is an optional extra (yet standard on new shape A4...).

Interior nice place to be, spoilt only by harsh ride - feels like the tyres are filled with cement (SE is bad enough - what's the S-Line like???). Mechanic told me this is a lot to do with the tyre spec.