Used car guide · 2007–2026

Audi A5 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Audi A5, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 373,852 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Audi A5

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Audi A5 as a whole.

4,413registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Dieselmost common fuel (also petrol)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016201520142013201220112010200920082007

What usually goes wrong with an Audi A5?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Oil burning (2.0 TFSI petrol)

    Cars registered 2007–2016 · 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

    Cars registered 2007–2016 · 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)

  • Eleven recalls

    Cars registered 2017–2024 · 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

  • Climate control failure

    Cars registered 2007–2016 · 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

    Cars registered 2007–2016 · 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)

  • Electrical glitches

    Cars registered 2017–2024 · 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

  • Brake servo recall (built Jan to Aug 2014)

    Cars registered in 2014 · Built Jan to Aug 2014

    Oil could leak into the brake servo on cars built from January to August 2014, reducing brake assistance. There was a recall.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done.

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

Common Audi A5 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Coil springs

    up to 47× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2017, 2018, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2017 and 2018.

    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 absorbers

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2015 and 2016.

    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.

  • Number plates

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018 and 2020.

    Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Nail or damage in a tyre

    up to 1.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    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 absorbers

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Coil springs

    up to 46× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2017, 2018, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 6.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017 and 2021.

    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.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

    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.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 1.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2007 and 2008.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Audi A5 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2007 Audi A5 did best (71% passed first time, 14 points above all 2007 cars) and the 2022 did worst (89%, 0 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202391%92% -1216 (small sample)
202289%89% +04,601
202188%87% +110,698
202087%87% +014,524
201986%85% +129,520
201884%83% +133,951
201782%80% +241,655
201680%77% +324,823
201579%74% +530,811
201477%70% +731,775
201375%67% +831,715
201274%64% +1027,642
201171%62% +928,665
201070%60% +1030,059
200970%59% +1117,440
200869%57% +1211,759
200771%57% +143,998

Questions to ask the seller before buying an 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. Have all the recalls been done? Can an Audi dealer confirm from the VIN?
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the Audi A5 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 47× as often on the Audi A5 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the Audi A5 as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at an Audi A5?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score