How to diagnose worn / broken top mounts

[Tfsi_Mike]

My car has done 55k Miles and when appropriate has been driven as you would expect a tuned Hatchback to be 

With the super hard suspension and extra wear and tear with hard use should I expect top mounts rubbers or bearings to be perished at this point.
I read some time ago that they were a fairly commin thing to go in general (especially the bearings?)

Car hasn't been handling perfectly recently.  Alot of wandering around and following the road with each bump and bit of curvature.
It feels to have improved after renewing my back tyres.  Pulls to the right badly atm but Im putting that down to alignment.

What would be the way to investigate a broken top mount, what would be the signs?

Thank you in advance

[Tfsi_Mike]

Anyone?

[_Nathan_]

Banging when you lift off or brake? Any movement in the strut with the wheel off the ground?

[Tfsi_Mike]

Banging when you lift off or brake? - Dont seem to have this
Any movement in the strut with the wheel off the ground? - will jack it up tommorow, thanks

[Tfsi_Mike]

Right at 60k Im wondering what mileage top mounts should be done?  I have a pair in a box but have a list as long as my arm of things Id rather spend the money on.

[Little_Dave]

If it's any help i had my top mounts changed a few weeks back to try and get rid of the knocking noise i have ongoing, when they removed one side and checked the bearings they fell apart and needed replacing, i had no usual side effets to suggest they were knackered and i guess the only thing holding them together was the compression and weight of the car?!! The other sides bearing were fine so only changed one side and two new top mounts 

Dave

[Tfsi_Mike]

Thanks very much for the response.  I have two new mounts and bearings to go on as a matter of course. (and the fact I thought the rubber would be stiffer as they're RS3 ones to later find they're identical too mine lol)