2013 Audi A5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Audi A5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Audi A5 than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Audi A5

  17.2% All 2013 cars

  8.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Shock absorbers2× usual
  Audi A5

  12.2% All 2013 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.4%, against 1.3% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.2× usual
  Audi A5

  7.1% All 2013 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.7% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2013 Audi A5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Audi A5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Suspension
  31% 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.

• Brakes
  20% 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.

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

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  7% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2013 Audi A5

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)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Audi A5

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. How much oil does it use between services?
2. Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2013 Audi A5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2013 Audi A5 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2013 Audi A5 as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?