Used Audi A5 Sportback 2016-2024 reliability
Category: Executive car
A tempting used buy, the Audi A5 Sportback blends coupé-like styling with saloon car practicality.
What should I look for in a used Audi A5 hatchback?
Check that the seats lower and raise as they should, and take a look at the alloy wheels for any kerb damage. Also check the front and rear of this long car for any scuffs and bodywork dings.
The number of reported faults on the A5 Sportback is relatively low, although problems with the car’s infotainment system are a cause for concern, with phones not connecting properly and flickering screens being the main complaints. The latest software from Audi can cure some of these ills.
And despite the A5’s reputation for having a great interior, there have been some issues with rattling parcel shelves and buzzing from interior trims.
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
What are the most common problems with a used Audi A5 hatchback?
At the time of writing, the A5 Sportback has three recalls listed. To check whether any have been carried out, you can contact your local Audi dealership. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Airbags and seatbelt tensioners
There have been two recalls relating to airbags. The first one is due to a manufacturing error that could prevent both the airbags and seatbelt tensioners from working correctly in a collision and applies to examples made between 1 May and 31 October 2016. The second is due to the passenger airbag being loose of a small number of A5s built between 1 February 2017 and 31 July 2017. Speak to an Audi dealer because in both cases, your car will need to be inspected before repairs can be carried out
Loudspeaker trim
The aluminium trim may become detached from the loud speaker in the front or rear doors, causing cuts and other injuries from the sharp edges. The recall was listed on 30 April 2018, with 5092 cars affected. To fix the issue, the loud speaker trims will be replaced.
Shock absorber fork
A problem with the casting process of the shock absorber forks used on the suspension of some A5s manufactured from 26 February 2019 and 14 March 2019 could lead to the forks failing. Find out from an Audi dealer if your A5 is affected since it will need to have replacement forks fitted to prevent future issues.
Is a used Audi A5 hatchback reliable?
The Audi A5 didn't get enough responses to feature in our latest Reliability Survey, but its close relative, the Audi A4, did. It ranked in 13th place out of 20 cars in the executive car category with a score of 86.6%. This places it above the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Mercedes C-Class, but below the BMW 3 Series and Volvo V60.
In the brand section, Audi came 26th out of 31 manufacturers with an overall score of 89%. This put it above Alfa Romeo and Land Rover, but below rivals like BMW, Mercedes and Porsche.
Used Audi A5 Sportback reliability: the owners' view
In our latest Reliability Survey, several Audi A5 owners praised their cars for being largely trouble-free, especially in the earlier years of ownership. However, others reported issues with warning lights and intermittent electrical faults, particularly on diesel variants. A few mentioned problems with the infotainment system freezing or requiring resets.
When faults did occur, dealer service received a mixed response. Some owners said repairs were carried out swiftly under warranty, but others were frustrated by long wait times for parts and a lack of communication from dealerships. A few also noted that seemingly minor issues turned into costly repairs outside of warranty.
If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information.
