Audi Q5 common problems and MOT failures

What usually goes wrong with an Audi Q5?

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.

• S tronic control unit failure

  Cars registered 2008–2016 · S tronic automatic

  The S tronic automatic can suffer costly control unit failures.

  At the viewing: Drive in traffic and check changes are smooth, with no jerks or warning lights.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

• Passenger airbag and mild-hybrid recalls

  Cars registered 2017–2020 · Built 2017 to 2020

  Passenger airbags on cars built June to July 2017 might not deploy properly (the fix is a new dashboard), and moisture could get into the starter-alternator on mild hybrids built June 2017 to March 2020.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the recalls were done.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q5 (2017 on) reliability

• Brake recalls (built 2018 to 2020)

  Cars registered 2018–2020 · Built 2018 to 2020

  Recalls covered brake master cylinders (built Aug to Nov 2018), brake piston coating that could lengthen stopping distances (built Mar to May 2018) and a part causing extra pedal travel (built Jan 2020).

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

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q5 (2017 on) reliability

• Worn front ball joints

  Cars registered 2008–2016 · All engines

  Creaky front suspension is usually worn ball joints, which can make the steering vague.

  At the viewing: Listen for creaks over bumps and feel for vague steering.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

• Airbag and heater recalls

  Cars registered 2008–2016 · All engines

  There were recalls for airbags not deploying properly and for the air con’s auxiliary heater, plus a 2015 recall for possible fuel leaks.

  At the viewing: Make sure the airbag light goes out, and ask for proof the recalls were done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

• Faults on diesels

  Cars registered 2017–2025 · Diesel

  In What Car?'s survey 35% of diesels had a fault, mostly brakes, electrics and trim, and some repairs cost over £1,500.

  At the viewing: Test the electrics and look for warning lights.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q5 (2017 on) reliability

• Paint lifting on the wheel arches

  Cars registered 2008–2016 · All engines

  On cars that are jet-washed a lot, paint can come off the wheel arch lips and they can rust.

  At the viewing: Look closely at the edges of all four wheel arches.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

• Infotainment freezing and electrical glitches

  Cars registered 2017–2025 · All engines

  Owners report infotainment freezes and connection problems, faulty lights and sensors, and a few turbo and gearbox repairs.

  At the viewing: Use the screen, connect your phone, and check every light.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q5 (2017 on) reliability

Common Audi Q5 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints

  up to 2.5× usual

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

  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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints

  up to 4.5× usual

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

  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.

• Coil springs

  up to 21× usual

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

  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.

• Number plates

  up to 2.1× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

• Steering rack inner joints

  up to 2.2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Engine warning light

  up to 2× usual

  Stands out on cars registered in 2009 and 2010.

  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.

Audi Q5 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2008 Audi Q5 did best (70% passed first time, 13 points above all 2008 cars) and the 2017 did worst (82%, 2 points above all 2017 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Audi Q5

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. Have the airbag and starter-alternator recalls been done?
3. Have the brake 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 2.5× as often on the Audi Q5 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 4.5× as often on the Audi Q5 as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 21× as often on the Audi Q5 as on other cars the same age.)