Models · Audi
Audi A5 F5 buying guide
The second A5 arrived as a coupé in 2016, with the five-door Sportback and the cabriolet following, and a range of TFSI petrol and TDI diesel engines. A revision in 2020 brought mild hybrid technology to most engines, LED headlights and upgraded infotainment.
The versions
- Petrol: 1.4 TFSI (150PS, from late 2017) and 2.0 TFSI (190 or 252PS), later badged 35, 40 and 45 TFSI
- Diesel: 2.0 TDI (190PS) and 3.0 TDI V6 (218 or 286PS), later badged 35 and 40 TDI
- 6-speed manual in the early years, 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch, or an 8-speed tiptronic automatic on the 3.0 TDI; quattro standard on the more powerful versions
- Coupé, five-door Sportback and cabriolet
- Mild hybrid systems on most engines from 2020
What to check on a F5 A5
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
The electronic parking brake
What to look for: Apply and release the parking brake several times with the car on a slope, and check it holds and lets go cleanly each time with no warning on the dashboard.
Why it matters: A parking brake that doesn't engage is one of the faults owners report on this A5. It's usually an electrical or software fault rather than worn brakes, but it needs to work before you buy.
Infotainment, windows and seats
What to look for: Pair your phone, use the screen for a few minutes, and watch for freezing or flickering. Use the indicators with a window partly open and check it doesn't move. Check the seats raise and lower properly, and test the central locking and alarm.
Why it matters: Most reported faults on this car are electrical: phones not connecting, flickering or crashing screens, windows opening when the indicator is used, and alarm and central locking glitches. Audi's latest software fixes some of them, so ask whether updates have been done.
Recall work
What to look for: Ask an Audi dealer to confirm all recall work is done on the chassis number. With the engine warm, sniff around the engine bay for any smell of fuel.
Why it matters: This generation had several recalls, covering airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, an overheating coolant pump, the air conditioning's auxiliary heater, fuel leaks, front suspension castings, towbar locking and loose seat frames. Recall work is free, and a car with it all done is the one to look for.
Also in the full guide
- Mild hybrid models
- 2.0 TFSI: oil use and coolant
- 2.0 TDI: cambelt and particulate filter
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the F5 A5
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Audi.