Used car guide

2008 Audi S5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Audi S5s, from 250 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 250 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

250MOT tests in 2025
74%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
6,500typical miles a year
36%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2008 Audi S5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    36% 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.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    22% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    18% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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.

  • Oil burning (2.0 TFSI petrol)
    2.0 TFSI petrol

    The 2.0 TFSI petrol can burn a surprising amount of oil.

    At the viewing: Check the oil level and ask how often it needs topping up between services.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A5 Coupe buying guide (2007-2016)

  • S tronic automatic
    S tronic automatic

    The S tronic gearbox doesn’t have the best reputation for reliability, and repairs are costly.

    At the viewing: Drive in traffic and check changes are smooth, with no slipping or hesitation.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A5 Coupe buying guide (2007-2016)

  • Climate control failure
    All engines

    The climate control can fail and is expensive to repair. Regular re-gassing helps, as it adds lubricant.

    At the viewing: Make sure it blows cold, and ask when it was last re-gassed.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A5 Coupe buying guide (2007-2016)

  • Clunks from the quattro drivetrain
    quattro models

    Clunks or knocks from the four-wheel-drive system in normal driving can mean a fault.

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks pulling away and on tight turns.

    Source: Carbuyer: used Audi A5 Coupe buying guide (2007-2016)

Looking at an Audi S5?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2014102Tyres 26%
2013123Tyres 25%
2012147Tyres 31%
2011201Suspension 27%
2010266Suspension 29%
2009137Suspension 34%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Audi S5s registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score