2016 Audi A5 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2016 Audi A5 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2016 Audi A5 diesel than on all cars registered in 2016.

• Shock absorbers3× usual
  Audi A5

  11.1% All 2016 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.8%, against 0.8% of all 2016 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.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.8× usual
  Audi A5

  8.8% All 2016 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.9% of all 2016 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.

• Engine warning light2× usual
  Audi A5

  2.6% All 2016 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.6%, against 1.3% of all 2016 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2016 Audi A5 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2016 Audi A5 diesel 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
  20% 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
  19% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2016 Audi A5 diesel

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.

• 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 2016 Audi A5 diesel

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

1. Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2016 Audi A5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2016 Audi A5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2016 Audi A5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?