GKN Lobro driveshaft - outer CV boot split

[A6avantowner]

Just had my front tyres replaced on my A6 Avant 2002 2.5 TDI.

The fitter did a visual inspection and pointed out the outer CV boot that is starting to perish and there's oil on it (black, doesn't look like grease, more like oil) so possible fine cracks, but hard to see clearly.

Brand new drive shaft fitted last August so I'm surprised. The drive shaft came completely assembled with CVs and boots.

I'll take a closer look myself, but any recommendations for decent brands of boots?

Thanks

[Crasher]

GKN LOBRO is the OE supplier to VAG.

[A6avantowner]

Yes I know so I'm amazed that this year-old driveshaft has a dodgy boot. Maybe it was in storage for some time prior to me buying it, or even worse it's a fake. It looked brand new when I got it. I've just been reading some horror stories about fake car parts that make their way into legitimate distribution channels.

[Crasher]

Did it come from Auto you know who?

[A6avantowner]

No I haven’t used them yet, it was Midland Car Spares. I need to take a proper look myself just to be sure because it wasn’t a clear view.

[A6avantowner]

Update - had a better look at the CV boot. The inner boot was covered in oil (there's no guard plate above it since gearbox replacement in 2014).
Gave both boots a good clean with a dry cloth and can't find any splits so need to find where oil leak is from.

[pta]

One note about CV boots. I had SKF VKJP 3005 and GKN/Löbro 300320/306482 rubber boot and there were same cast markings from mold inside the boot. It seems that the rubber may be the same too... It was tested when we had freezing cold (below -27 C) here. Both rubbers come quite hard. Spidan 26094/36303 should be the same too.

The above numbers are for C5 "large" CV joint with M16 center bolt.