Models · Audi
Audi S5 F5 buying guide
The second S5 was launched in 2016 as a coupé, with Sportback and cabriolet versions, using a 3.0 TFSI turbocharged V6 shared with the S4, an 8-speed automatic and quattro. With the 2020 revision, UK cars switched to a 3.0 TDI diesel V6 with mild hybrid assistance.
The versions
- 3.0 TFSI turbocharged V6 petrol (EA839), 354PS and 500Nm, 2016 to 2020
- 3.0 TDI V6 diesel, 347PS, with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, from 2020
- 8-speed ZF torque converter automatic; no manual or dual-clutch
- quattro with a 40/60 front to rear default split; sport rear differential optional
- Coupé, five-door Sportback and cabriolet
What to check on a F5 S5
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
Petrol: the water pump
What to look for: With the bonnet open, look at the pulley on the front of the engine that drives the water pump and count its bolts: six means the revised pump, four the original. Check the coolant tank is between its marks and look for dried coolant residue on the front of the engine and the left-hand cylinder head.
Why it matters: This 3.0 TFSI is listed among the engines affected: the original pump can leak internally, drawing coolant into the vacuum system, where it can trigger a boost fault warning and in time cause damage. Audi released a revised pump with a six-bolt pulley, so a car with it fitted has had this dealt with.
Petrol: oil use and the breather
What to look for: Ask how much oil the car uses between services and check the level. Look for oily residue around the oil filler cap, and for blue smoke on a cold start or hard acceleration.
Why it matters: The S5 shares its 3.0 TFSI with the B9 S4. On that engine the crankcase breather (PCV) diaphragm is built into the cam cover and can crack, pushing oil into the intake and raising consumption. The fix is a replacement cam cover. It's a known item rather than a sign of a worn engine.
Gearbox changes and fluid
What to look for: From cold, move from park to drive and reverse and note any delay before it engages. Drive gently through the lower gears and at low speed in traffic. Changes should be smooth, with no harsh 1 to 2 shift and no shudder. Ask whether the gearbox oil has been changed.
Why it matters: The ZF 8-speed is shared with the S4 of this generation. It's strong, but specialists recommend changing its fluid rather than treating it as lifetime fill, and harsh or delayed changes are the usual sign it's due. A record of gearbox oil and filter changes is the one to look for.
Also in the full guide
- Rear differential noise
- Recall work and electrics
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the F5 S5
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.