Any other red flags or common issues to look out for would be greatly appreciated.
The B8 Allroad forum is quiet, you’re probably better off sticking to the B8 platform. Same engines, etc.
B8.5 went to 2015 so you might get a late model. Still Euro 5 on 2.0 TDI, so no AdBlue, but just double check that. Draw up your essential specification short-list such and go from there. Audi were tight as a gnat’s chuff.
2.0 TDI 177PS was a solid engine. Timing belt and water pump every 5 years and 60-70k miles. Oil changes every 10k miles, fuel filter every 20k miles. Garrett turbo failed (actuator) on mine prematurely at just 65k miles. If replacing, change oil feed pipe while you’re at it. In my experience these engines do not use oil.
These are old cars now, so you can afford to shop around. Quick scan on Autotrader, say 2012-2015, there’s 43 for sale with one example with just 36k miles for £16k. Damn thing had poverty specification halogen headlights. Bi-Xenon or nothing. There are headlight levelling sensors on passenger side front and rear. Double check rear, you want LED light clusters which appeared around 2012.
Importantly, on older cars, then rear coil spring seats (rubber deteriorates and internal alloy suffers corrosion). Parts are negligible cost-wise and you’re probably looking at £300-400 in labour to swap out unless you‘re spanner handy.
Brakes may suffer from sticky pistons and corroded dust boot sleeves. I rebuilt mine with Budweg kit from Autodoc. Audi don’t even sell rebuild kits.
Satellite navigation will be out of date. Plenty sellers on EBay. Double check MMI interface before you part with cash.
Higher mileage cars, then suspension may be tired. Meyle HD or Lemforder, that’s all I‘d fit.
Rear subframes known to corrode. I had hairline crack in engine cradle (alloy) which was MOT advisory, so again, be rigorous with your checks.
Worth getting yourself VCDS, even 3 user licence. Very handy for scans and fault finding.
Generally paintwork is very good, but as mentioned, front wing edges can rust under plastic trim. I stripped out front and rear inner wheel arches, cleaned thoroughly and treated with Lanoguard. You can revive paint if there’s swirl marks with Menzerna compound and rotary mop If you’re experienced.
Exhaust straight pipe, if not already corroded, then cut off exhaust clamps and fit Mikalor stainless.
Still miss my old Allroad. Still relatively rare and in right colour and factory alloys look the business.