AUDI: WHEELS CAN FALL OFF.

Byline: CAITLIN MACKAY

CAR giant Audi has warned hundreds of customers that the wheels on their 145mph sports cars could fall off without warning

Six owners of the powerful TT and S3 models have reported rear suspension arms snapping, causing loss of control.

Stewart McNaughton, from Glasgow, was driving with his children when a wheel on his two-year-old TT coupe broke off.

He said:"I heard a loud bang when I turned right at a junction.

"The car veered onto the wrong side of the road after going sideways.

"I thought a tyre had burst but when I pulled into a car park I found the offside rear lower control arm had snapped.

"I daren't imagine what would have happened if I had been on a motorway or driving quickly along a country road."

A survey of a dozen Audi dealers across the UK revealed that four S3s and two TTs have been affected.

Audi have admitted they are aware of the problem and are carrying out modifications to specific faults.

The alert is the second wheel scare to affect the company. Three months ago owners of their fastest model, the 170mph RS4 estate, were warned their alloy wheels could break up.

Audi bosses also ordered a recall of TTs after reports of several high speed crashes, including one fatality in Germany.

CAPTION(S):

WARNING: Audi TT