AUDI A5 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 11,192 MOT tests from 1,116 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every AUDI A5 has the same fault.

AUDI A5's have a very good reliability rating of 688/999. The score was calculated from the average of every AUDI A5 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the AUDI A5.

AUDI A5 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	808/999Excellent	71,812 miles	3,899 vehicles
N/A	N/A	803/999Excellent	74,636 miles	829 vehicles
N/A	N/A	802/999Excellent	69,023 miles	4,403 vehicles
N/A	N/A	765/999Very good	70,538 miles	3,021 vehicles
N/A	N/A	745/999Very good	73,878 miles	4,704 vehicles
N/A	N/A	658/999Good	80,013 miles	2,203 vehicles
N/A	N/A	637/999Good	78,502 miles	7,365 vehicles
N/A	N/A	626/999Good	80,365 miles	2,220 vehicles
N/A	N/A	615/999Good	78,656 miles	7,611 vehicles
N/A	N/A	558/999Above average	77,319 miles	1,429 vehicles
N/A	N/A	548/999Above average	79,295 miles	2,880 vehicles

How reliable is the AUDI A5?

Based on 11,192 MOT tests from 1,116 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,116

MOT tests

11,192

Pass rate

83.4%

Median mileage

90,237 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every AUDI A5 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 697 out of 999.

Common AUDI A5 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 2,019 advisory comments and 398 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 535 advisory comments and 40 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 337 advisory comments and 118 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 284 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 150 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 140 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 135 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 64 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

AUDI A5 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	13	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	19	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	9	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	15	12	100%	Tyre wear
2022	22	44	93.2%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2021	29	92	93.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	28	120	90.8%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2019	72	420	86.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	105	706	87.5%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2017	132	1057	85.9%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016	60	551	84.2%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2015	77	774	85.3%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2014	82	899	82%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2013	93	1131	82.4%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2012	80	1076	82.5%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2011	75	1108	81.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2010	99	1578	81.6%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2009	39	665	82.3%	Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues
2008	36	658	80.2%	Tyre wear, Corrosion
2007	12	235	83%	Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues

What to check when buying a used AUDI A5

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.
Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Buying a AUDI A5?

Common problems tell you what can affect AUDI A5s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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