Used buying checklist
Audi A5 reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Audi A5 looks better than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 15.6% of 142,462 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 15.6% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 76,309 miles
- 22,219 failed MOT tests analysed
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest area to check
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (6.0 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view, items removed from drivers view prior to test, and provides insufficient washer liquid.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view
- Items removed from drivers view prior to test
- provides insufficient washer liquid
- of an obligatory external mirror significantly affected by an obstruction
- corroded and seriously weakened
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- excessively corroded
- corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- worn down to wear indicator
- lens slightly defective
Focus on windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 15.6%, -3.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed142,462 tests
- Median tested mileage76,309 miles
- Failed MOT tests22,219
Should you buy a used Audi A5?
84.4% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 15.6%, -3.1 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical
- windscreen, wipers, and mirrors appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (6.0 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Audi A5, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.4% at 0-3 years to 20.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, corrosion and structure, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (6.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (5.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (4.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (3.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.7 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (2.5 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Audi A5, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (6.0 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Audi A5 mainly involve 6 areas: mixed recall notices, emissions, engine, and exhaust, seatbelts and safety systems, and suspension and steering. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Audi A5, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and tyres and wheels.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 37,215 | 32,476 | 9.8%-1.0 percentage points vs all models | 35,128 miles |
| 50-100k | 60,304 | 49,804 | 15.8%-5.0 percentage points vs all models | 73,440 miles |
| 100-150k | 33,714 | 26,374 | 20.1%-6.1 percentage points vs all models | 119,234 miles |
| 150-200k | 9,129 | 7,078 | 21.7%-5.5 percentage points vs all models | 165,313 miles |
| 200k+ | 1,320 | 1,025 | 22.1%-4.5 percentage points vs all models | 214,383 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Audi A5, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 9.4% at 0-3 years to 20.7% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 20.7% for 15+ years cars, based on 4,641 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
1,609 | 1,463 | 9.4%+1.0 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
34,454 | 29,750 | 10.5%-0.1 percentage points vs all models | 5.0 years |
| 6-10 years 2016–2020 reg. |
48,210 | 39,997 | 14.9%-1.7 percentage points vs all models | 8.1 years |
| 10-15 years 2011–2016 reg. |
53,548 | 42,156 | 19.2%-4.3 percentage points vs all models | 12.2 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
4,641 | 3,612 | 20.7%-5.2 percentage points vs all models | 15.4 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2025-08-08 | Stop-drive TAKATA PSAN Urgent Safety Warning – Do Not Drive Your Vehicle Affected vehicles were originally allocated to or used for an extended period of time in a region with a climate zone considered to as HIGH RISK. Certain front airbags contain an ageing inflator propellant that may explode when deployed due to long-term exposure to heat and humidity. If the airbag inflator explodes metal fragments may be ejected causing life-threatening or fatal injuries to anyone in the vehicle. Affected airbags will be be replaced. You can contact Audi's dedicated Takata Stop Drive helpline at 0113 526 9646 (MONDAY to FRIDAY 9:00AM to 5:00PM. |
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| 2025-03-19 | Replacing rear seat backrest The rear seat backrest may not comply with crash safety requirements due to an inadequate weld joint. This means that there is an increased risk of rear seat passengers being injured in the event of a frontal collision if heavy loads are being transported in the luggage compartment. Until the repair has been performed we request that you do not transport any heavy loads in the luggage compartment. For safety reasons it is necessary to replace the right rear seat backrest. |
| 2023-02-06 | If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period. If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may burst on vehicles manufactured within a limited period. As a precautionary safety measure it is necessary to replace the airbag unit on the driver side. |
| 2022-02-14 | FOLLOWING A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN THE TOE AND/OR CAMBER VALUES ON THE REAR AXLE MAY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES INCORRECTLY BE CHANGED WITHOUT THIS BEING NOTICED Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be changed without this being noticed. The wheel alignment must be checked and if necessary the suspension must be serviced on the affected vehicles. |
| 2021-06-25 | REAR AXLE SUSPENSION LINKS NUTS DO NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS One or more nuts which do not meet the specifications may have been fitted on the rear axle suspension links. The affected nuts on the rear axle will be replaced on affected vehicles. |
| 2021-06-07 | VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN FITTED WITH A HINGED TOWING BRACKET ON WHICH THE LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE HINGE MODULE COULD BE FAULTY Vehicles may have been fitted with a hinged towing bracket on which the locking mechanism in the hinge module could be faulty. The hinge module for the towing bracket must be checked and where necessary replaced on the vehicles affected. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Audi A5. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Audi reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.