Overview

Lithe grace and eye-catching styling isn’t normally the first words to come to the fore when talking about Audis. Teutonic and Germanic (bywords for efficiency and quality bordering on the boring) are usually more often used, but the A5 Coupe is every inch a very sleek and head-turning machine. Its premium badge commands used car respect in the trade, and the best cars from good owners hold on to their resale values better than most rivals.

As with any German premium brand, rough ones pop up for sale here and there. Spotting a pup is easy thanks to deep-seated factory quality that rogue traders and below-par bodyshops simply can’t replicate at the cheaper end of the market.

Audi A5 Coupe (2007-2016) known faults and common problems

Remember that you get what you pay for in this world, and a bad Audi with problems will bring you nothing but heartache and big bills. Always go for quality. Issues broadly mirror other A5s of a similar vintage but our unique research has uncovered other hotspots to look for.

Buying guide

Common issues, and what to look for if you’re looking at getting one

1. Bodywork

Expect very tight panel gaps and flawless paint. The long doors easily show up wonky gaps and metalwork full of body filler. Run your fingers around the seams, inner door, bonnet and boot edges feeling for rough paint repairs that’s not been de-nibbled. Tap the door panels and bumpers with a fingernail – if the paint feels soft or rubbery its seen the inside of a bodyshop at some point.

2. Central Locking

Ensure the remote locking works perfectly from the fob. Broken motors and linkages are not uncommon and can be expensive to remedy. Also, check the operation of the remote filler flap. The servo motor linkages can break or the wiring can fail causing the flap to stay shut. There is an emergency release in the boot but this fault is a major annoyance more than an overly expensive repair.

3. Wheelbearing noise

Kerbed vehicles and our broken urban roads can cause problems to the front wheelbearings – even more so on cars with larger or customised wheel options. Get the car up a decent speed listening for distant humming or whining. Go through some spirited cornering manoeuvres and you’ll hear the noise increase or decrease with some detectable vibration felt through the steering wheel. Left ignored a failed bearing can cause poor road holding and overheated hub assemblies – the latter bringing you a big bill.

4. Electrical Gremlins

Check every button and feature for form and function. Some owners report intermittent problems with infotainment systems freezing or refusing to work. Ensure the parking sensors work exactly as they should as they operate via the same wiring as the head unit and this could lead to repair or replacement of the entire infotainment unit.

5. Excessive oil consumption

Early petrol TFSI engines suffered from a poor design of piston rings leading to very high oil consumption between servicing. Check previous MoT histories for a fail owing to excessive hydrocarbon content at the exhaust. A car burning oil can lead to eventual failure of the catalytic converter and ultimately, an engine rebuild too. Look for oil bottles in the boot and a sticky residue at the tailpipe.

6. Service History

A full dealer history is desirable but non franchise specialists are out there doing the same, if not sometimes a better job. Anything with fast-fit service history should be avoided at all costs though. The largest TDI engine has a long cam belt interval but make sure all the nylon guide wheels were changed at the same time. Some garages only change the belt, tensioner and water pump – thoroughly check by asking to see paperwork, and DO NOT accept word of mouth.

7. Avoid cars with only one key

Cars like the A5 Coupe can be stolen in order to fulfil the growing black market spares business – as with any premium car. If the trader or vendor says he only has one key, simply walk away. It’s not unknown for unlucky owners to find an Audi sized gap on the driveway shortly after its purchase. Also, immediately after purchase consider fitting a tracking system. This will also lower your insurance premium and give you added piece of mind.

8. Check for title of ownership

Always ensure the car has no outstanding finance owing on it and for previous accident history. Also, if the car has passed through many owners and if the current driver has only owned it for a short while, ask questions why – this will affect future used values when it comes to sell.

9. Modified vehicles

Younger, more affluent owners can often personalise their cars to ‘interesting’ tastes. Blacked out windows, body wrapping and aftermarket alloys with massive diameters ruin the cars stance, handling and ride. If it’s been remapped, have a look for supporting documentation, and make sure the exhaust isn’t belching out smoke. Some aftermarket exhaust systems disturb refinement and you’d be better looking elsewhere for a good car.

10. Does it look as it should?

Most owners love their Audis. Check all the tyres for matching brands – a good sign of a caring owner. Nice examples are normally owned by nice people with a postcode to die for. Cars with cheap tyres and wafer thin brake discs should be ignored. Upon arriving for viewing privately, if you can smell fresh ground coffee and the car looks pristine and ready for test driving, you’re halfway there to finding the right car. Bad cars come from bad owners and low quality garages – don’t forget that.

Main Dealer Coverage: Very Good

Click through the next few pages to find out how practical, economical and safe the Audi A5 Coupe is, and what it’s like to drive, then read on for our verdict on whether a used example is a good place to put your money.