Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 TFSI, 180 PS, 6-speed manual Research | €476 | €7,800 | 115 | Petrol | CDN | Manual (6) | 2008–2011 |
| 3.0 TDI, 240 PS, 6-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €572 | €8,500 | 108 | Diesel | CCW | Automatic (6) | 2008–2009 |
| 3.0 TDI, 240 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €561 | €8,500 | 108 | Diesel | CCW | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2009–2011 |
| 2.7 TDI, 190 PS, automatic | €543 | €6,990 | 83 | Diesel | CGK | CVT-Getriebe | 2007–2011 |
| 2.0 TFSI, 180 PS, automatic Research | €491 | €7,999 | 64 | Petrol | CDN | CVT-Getriebe | 2008–2011 |
| 2.0 TFSI, 211 PS, automatic Research | €509 | €9,200 | 64 | Petrol | CDN | CVT-Getriebe | 2008–2011 |
| 2.0 TFSI, 211 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive Research | €526 | €9,200 | 64 | Petrol | CDN | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2008–2011 |
| 3.0 TDI, 240 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research | €565 | €6,800 | 64 | Diesel | CCW | Manual (6) | 2007–2011 |
| 3.0 TDI, 240 PS, 7-speed dual-clutch, all-wheel drive, convertible Research | €531 | €8,900 | 53 | Diesel | CCW | Automatic (dual-clutch) (7) | 2009–2011 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2007-2016: Coupe and Sportback (8T), Cabriolet (8F). Facelift in 2011-2012. It shares its platform with the Audi A4.
- Most common: petrol engines that burn oil from coked piston rings, and timing chain wear on the 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI.
- Reliability: 3/5, because oil and chain repairs are costly. ADAC breakdown statistics rate the car good to very good in every year.
- DIY: 2/5, because oil and chain work needs an engine workshop. The checks below need no tools, but gearbox faults need a scanner.
- Prefer: a 1.8 or 2.0 TFSI with proof of piston work and a chain record. Avoid: a 2.0 TFSI that burns oil with no repair proof, and a multitronic that shudders or jerks.
Engines and gearboxes
- 1.8 TFSI and 2.0 TFSI petrol: oil use and chain wear are the main risks.
- 2.0 TDI diesel: see the VW 2.0 TDI (EA189) guide. Its faults are on that page.
- 3.0 TDI V6 diesel: EGR and particulate filter faults, and water pump leaks.
- Multitronic CVT, front-wheel drive: shuddering and jerking are the risks. Repairs can be costly.
- S tronic DL501, 7-speed dual clutch, quattro: clutch and mechatronic faults.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil use from coked piston rings | 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrol, mainly cars built to 2012 | About 100,000 km (auto.ru) | No confirmed price |
| Timing chain | 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI petrol | 80,000-120,000 km (auto.ru) | No confirmed price |
| Multitronic CVT | Multitronic, front-wheel drive | Not stated | Often over GBP 1,000 (WhoCanFixMyCar, year not stated) |
| S tronic clutch and mechatronic | S tronic DL501, quattro | 50,000-120,000 km (auto.ru) | No confirmed price |
| Diesel V6 EGR and DPF | 3.0 TDI V6 | About 100,000 km (auto.ru) | No confirmed price |
| Window regulators | Coupe and Sportback with frameless doors | Not stated | GBP 120 per new regulator from Audi (Auto Express, UK, year not stated) |
| Suspension and wheel bearings | All | 80,000-150,000 km (auto.ru) | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Ask for proof of piston work on a 1.8 or 2.0 TFSI built to 2012. Check the oil level, then measure oil use over 1,000 km. A car that needs topping up between services is a warning sign.
- Ask whether the timing chain was replaced. A metallic knock or rattle on a cold start is a warning sign.
- On a multitronic, drive from cold and at town speed. Shuddering, jerking or overheating is a warning sign. A scanner reads the gearbox fault codes.
- On an S tronic, check for slip, hesitation or jerking when pulling away, and gears that do not engage. Ask for the oil change record, every 50,000-60,000 km. A scanner reads the mechatronic codes.
- On a 3.0 TDI, ask for EGR and particulate filter records. Look for oil leaks around the EGR cooler and water pump. Ask how often the car was used on short trips.
- Open and close every window. Listen for snaps or grinding from the regulators. Auto Express gives GBP 120 for a new regulator from Audi.
- Listen for groaning when turning. Check the front wheel bearings and shock absorbers on a lift.
- Check the brake hoses. They wear out with age. Check them from about seven years old.
- Check open recall campaigns for the car by VIN before you buy.
Running costs
| Operational | €221 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €132 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €163 |
| Total per month | €516 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €87 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 1,119
- 25th percentile
- €6,490
- Median price
- €8,399
- 75th percentile
- €10,000
- Median mileage
- 198,852 km
- Median first registration
- 2010
- Dealer share
- 39.4%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €11,575
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
Oil use from coked piston rings
Warning signs are a low oil warning, smoke from the exhaust and rough running. Owners top up between services. Carbon (coking) builds up on the oil scraper rings and blocks their return holes. The rings then stop sealing, and the engine burns oil. Use can reach over 1 litre per 1,000 km. auto.ru puts the onset at about 100,000 km.
The fix is piston and ring work. Advanced cases need a rebuild of the piston group, camshafts and head. Cleaning needs an engine teardown and is costly. AUTO BILD describes the TPI 2 service campaign with new pistons and rings. It gives 2013 as the year the factory parts were fitted. CarWiki gives 2015. Check the service book for the campaign.
No confirmed price exists for an A5 in EUR or GBP.
Sources: WhoCanFixMyCar, AUTO BILD, CarWiki, auto.ru
Timing chain
Warning signs are a metallic knock, noise at start-up and stumbling at low revs. Russian sources put the first symptoms at 80,000 to 90,000 km on cars built before 2013. For later engines, auto.ru gives about 120,000 km. The chain can stretch and jump, which can damage the valves. The repair is the chain, tensioner and guides.
No confirmed price exists for an A5 in EUR or GBP.
Sources: auto.ru, kolesa.ru, CarWiki, Gebrauchtwagenberater
Multitronic CVT
The multitronic is a front-wheel-drive CVT. Faults are shuddering, jerking, overheating, slipping and total failure. WhoCanFixMyCar advises avoiding front-wheel-drive automatics from 2007 to 2015 that shudder or slip. It puts the cost at often over GBP 1,000 (UK, year not stated).
Sources disagree on life. auto.ru says the CVT runs without problems to about 300,000 km if the oil is changed every 60,000 km. kolesa.ru says heavy city use can need conical parts or a variator at 50,000 to 60,000 km.
Sources: WhoCanFixMyCar, AUTO BILD, kolesa.ru, auto.ru
S tronic clutch and mechatronic
The S tronic DL501 is a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox in quattro cars. auto.ru says its wet clutches last about 50,000 to 120,000 km. The mechatronic unit and its wiring can fail at any mileage. Symptoms are jerking, hesitation at start-off and gears that do not engage. Fixes start with adaptation or software. A mechatronic replacement is often needed. Carbuyer says the S tronic has a poor reliability reputation. Oil changes every 50,000 to 60,000 km are advised.
No confirmed price exists for an A5 in EUR or GBP.
Sources: Carbuyer, auto.ru, kolesa.ru, Gebrauchtwagenberater
Diesel V6 EGR and DPF
The 3.0 TDI V6 can leak at the EGR cooler and the water pump after about 100,000 km, according to auto.ru. The EGR valve can clog with soot. The particulate filter (DPF) clogs with soot on short trips. Fixes are a new EGR valve, sealing the leaks, a forced regeneration or DPF cleaning.
No confirmed price exists for an A5 in EUR or GBP.
Sources: WhoCanFixMyCar, auto.ru, AUTO BILD
Window regulators
The Coupe and Sportback have frameless doors. Window regulators can break, mostly in winter. Doors can sag and need trim replacement. Auto Express calls the regulator fix a DIY job. It gives GBP 120 for a new regulator from Audi, with no year stated.
Sources: Auto Express, kolesa.ru
Suspension and wheel bearings
Front wheel bearings are a known weak point. They groan when cornering, especially at the front. Hub bearings can fail before 80,000 km, and front shocks and bushes wear at 120,000 to 150,000 km, according to auto.ru. Multi-link joints wear at higher mileage. kolesa.ru says they last 70,000 to 100,000 km with timely replacement. kolesa.ru says V6 and V8 cars can wear the front suspension much faster.
No confirmed price exists for an A5 in EUR or GBP.
Sources: Auto Express, Gebrauchtwagenberater, kolesa.ru, auto.ru, CarWiki
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not given (German press) | Not given | 2007-2013 | Driver airbag inflator. The parts are replaced. |
Other campaigns in press reports (brake booster, tow hitch lock, electric coolant pump) give no remedy. Check open campaigns by VIN.
Sources: car-recalls.eu, CarWiki
Maintenance
- Oil level: check between services. Owners top up, which is the first sign of oil use.
- S tronic and multitronic oil: change every 50,000 to 60,000 km.
- Timing chain: a cold knock or rattle needs a workshop check.
- Brake hoses: check from about seven years. They wear out with age.
Sources: auto.ru, kolesa.ru, CarWiki, Auto Zeitung
Sources
English
- Auto Express: used Audi A5 Mk1 review
- WhoCanFixMyCar: common problems with the Audi A5
- Carbuyer: used Audi A5 Coupe buying guide
German
- Gebrauchtwagenberater: Audi A5 problems
- AUTO BILD: Audi A4 and A5 weak points
- Auto Zeitung: buying a used Audi A5
- CarWiki: Audi A5 problems
- CarWiki: Audi S5 problems
- car-recalls.eu: known problems