Now if I recall misting on shocks is fine, but you'll need to replace them once they start leaking. They can be Misty for a very long time before they start to leak and it's not an MOT failure for them to be Misty (I think, was the case on the old rules). However, it might be worth you checking with the new MOT rules that came into force last May as this could be classed as a fail now, but I doubt it. Other members my correct me on this if I'm wrong.
Now correct me if I'm wrong but shouldn't your a5 have a brake pad warning light? I know my much older a6 does and it's at that point the brake pads need changing.
Cheers
Steve