2017 Audi Q5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2017 Audi Q5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2017 Audi Q5 than on all cars registered in 2017.

• Coil springs3.3× usual
  Audi Q5

  7% All 2017 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 1.5% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 joints2× usual
  Audi Q5

  7.5% All 2017 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.7% of all 2017 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.

• Coil springs21× usual
  Audi Q5

  2.1% All 2017 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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 plates1.9× usual
  Audi Q5

  2.8% All 2017 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Common 2017 Audi Q5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2017 Audi Q5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  24% 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
  16% 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.

• Suspension
  16% 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.

• 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
  4% 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
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

Known faults on the 2017 Audi Q5

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.

• Passenger airbag and mild-hybrid recalls

  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

• Faults on diesels

  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

• Infotainment freezing and electrical glitches

  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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2017 Audi Q5

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

1. Have the airbag and starter-alternator recalls been done?
2. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 3.3× as often on the 2017 Audi Q5 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2017 Audi Q5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 21× as often on the 2017 Audi Q5 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?