2019 Audi Q5: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2019 Audi Q5?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2019 Audi Q5 than on all cars registered in 2019.

• Number plates1.7× usual
  Audi Q5

  2.2% All 2019 cars

  1.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2019 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 2019 Audi Q5 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2019 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
  15% 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
  6% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2019 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.

• Brake recalls (built 2018 to 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

• 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 2019 Audi Q5

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

1. Have the brake recalls been done? Can an Audi dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. Have the airbag and starter-alternator recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2019 Audi Q5 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?