Used Audi A5 Buying Guide
Essentially an A4 in a sharper suit, the Audi A5 offers three distinct flavours: a sleek two-door Coupé, the five-door Sportback that adds rear doors and a big hatchback boot, and a fabric-roofed Cabriolet. That spread makes it unusually versatile for a style-led car, and because it shares its platforms with the A4 — B8 cars from 2007 to 2016, B9 from 2016 onwards — the mechanical picture is well understood and parts support is strong. The Sportback in particular has become a popular used alternative to a conventional saloon.
Engines and trims
Most used A5s carry the 2.0 TDI diesel, an easy recommendation for anyone covering serious miles, while the 3.0 TDI V6 turns the car into a genuinely rapid long-distance machine. Petrol buyers get the 2.0 TFSI in several outputs (badged 40 and 45 TFSI on later cars), with B9 models gaining mild-hybrid technology to trim fuel use. Quattro all-wheel drive is fitted to the more powerful versions; lesser cars drive the front wheels through a manual, S tronic dual-clutch or — on front-drive B8 automatics — the Multitronic CVT.
The B9 range typically opens at Sport, with leather and navigation as standard, before S line adds firmer suspension and the styling most buyers want. Black Edition brings gloss-black trim and bigger wheels, and Vorsprung bundles almost every option. On B8 cars, SE and S line dominate. The Technology Pack and adaptive dampers are the options worth hunting down, and Cabriolets with the acoustic roof are noticeably more refined.
What to check before buying
The A5 inherits the A4’s known issues. Early B8-era 2.0 TFSI petrols (EA888) can burn oil at a worrying rate due to piston-ring design, so quiz the seller on consumption and favour cars with evidence of remedial work; a cold-start chain rattle also warrants caution. B8 2.0 TDIs are EA189 emissions-recall engines — check the fix has been applied and the car has behaved since. Front-wheel-drive B8 automatics use the Multitronic CVT, which must feel smooth and shudder-free on a test drive and needs a history of oil changes. S tronic cars should shift cleanly at parking speeds.
Cabriolet-specific checks matter: operate the roof through several full cycles, listen for straining motors, inspect the fabric for wear and damp, and check the drains are clear — blocked drainage can soak carpets and damage electronics. On any A5, confirm all four windows index properly against their seals, test every MMI and driver-assist feature, and look for uneven tyre wear on quattro cars.
Running costs
Running an A5 costs little more than the equivalent A4. The 2.0 TDI delivers excellent motorway economy, petrols are thirstier but simpler, and mild-hybrid B9 cars claw back a little around town. Insurance groups are slightly higher than the A4’s, reflecting the coupé positioning. Servicing at VW Group independents keeps costs sensible, though V6 models, quattro drivelines and Cabriolet roof repairs push bills up, and larger alloys mean pricier tyres. Post-2017 registrations pay flat-rate road tax.
Verdict
The A5 is the A4 for people who want their sensible decision to look a bit special, and the Sportback barely sacrifices any practicality in the process. A B9 2.0 TDI or 40 TFSI S line with full history is the smart buy; B8 cars can be great value but demand careful checks on oil use, emissions-recall status and gearbox condition. Buy on condition and history rather than price, and it is an easy car to enjoy.
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