Used car guide

2023 Audi A5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2023 Audi A5s, from 221 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 221 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

221MOT tests in 2025
91%pass first time (all 2023 cars: 92%)
9,900typical miles a year
16%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2023 Audi A5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    16% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    5% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    3% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Suspension
    2% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    2% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Eleven recalls
    All engines

    Recalls covered airbags and pre-tensioners, overheating coolant pumps, overheating air con units, fuel leaks, front suspension castings, towbar locks, water in the electronics of mild hybrids, and seat frames.

    At the viewing: Ask an Audi dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: Auto Express: used Audi A5 (Mk2, 2016-2024) buyer’s guide

  • Electrical glitches
    All engines

    Owners report infotainment crashes, windows opening when the indicator is used, and the electric parking brake not engaging.

    At the viewing: Test the screen, windows and parking brake.

    Source: Auto Express: used Audi A5 (Mk2, 2016-2024) buyer’s guide

Looking at an Audi A5?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20224,426Tyres 27%
20215,297Tyres 28%
20204,815Tyres 30%
20199,863Tyres 30%
201811,393Tyres 29%
201713,804Tyres 27%
20168,258Tyres 34%
201510,199Tyres 33%
201410,463Tyres 33%
201310,364Tyres 34%
20128,915Tyres 35%
20119,195Suspension 40%
20109,427Suspension 41%
20095,342Suspension 41%
20083,486Suspension 47%
20071,156Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2023 Audi A5s registered in 2023. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score