Which Years Of Used Audi A5s Are Most Reliable?
Audi is one of the top contenders in the ranks of German vehicles, offering some of the finest performance vehicles available. The company always strives to remain on the cusp of bleeding-edge tech in combination with some of the most handsome automotive designs in the industry. Having said that, one of the less popular but still compelling Audi nameplates buyers should check out is the Audi A5.
If you’re looking for a compact luxury car, there’s a good chance you might have glanced the way of the A5. The Audi A5 is a high-class coupe with fun driving dynamics, tasteful interior designs, a sporty suspension, and a strong all-rounder performance. However, if you plan to buy a used Audi A5, long-term reliability is crucial.
While luxury cars aren’t known for their reliability, it’s a fact that some model years are more reliable than others – that’s certainly the case with the Audi A5. So for today’s guide, we walk you through all A5 generations and find the most reliable Audi A5 year and which ones to avoid. Let’s take a look.
2008-2017 Audi A5 (1st Generation)
The exceptionally good-looking A5 convertible and coupes were well-received during their release. The A5 was praised for its luxurious and quiet interior, agile handling, and super smooth eight-speed transmission.
Buy: 2008 Audi A5
During its debut, the 2008 Audi A5 was universally praised as one of the prettiest coupes around. In general, the majority of debut models are problematic in terms of long-term reliability – somehow, the Audi A5 was able to buck that trend. According to CarComplaints.com, the 2008 Audi A5 had only received seven complaints and one recall – which is impressive for an older model.
The value of a used 2008 Audi A5 ranges from $1,663 to $7,648. However, when buying a used 2008 A5, look at a well-maintained unit with pristine service records. Don’t gamble with a high-mileage 2008 A5. An Audi A5 may have a lifespan between 200,000 and 250,000 miles when properly maintained.
THE AUDI A5 YEARS TO AVOID
We explore the various Audi A5 years to avoid due to known reliability issues and the high number of consumer complaints.
Avoid: 2011 Audi A5
The 2011 Audi A5 is one of the least reliable first-gen models, with several reliability woes we can’t overlook. As per CarComplaints.com, the 2011 A5 received 41 complaints and no recalls. Meanwhile, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recorded 37 complaints for this A5 model year across several trouble spots including airbags, engine, powertrain, etc.
The most complained about issue is the persistent oil light warning. Apparently, the 2011 A5 had a severe case of oil consumption which caused the oil light to come on frequently. Some reports claimed that the oil light illuminates after 1,000 miles or so. This issue led to a class action lawsuit against Audi and came to a settlement. However, some users weren’t so fortunate – a user from Glendale, CA, shared:
“Audi had a class action lawsuit regarding excessive oil consumption. I was never notified. When I noticed excessive oil consumption (oil light coming on every 1,000) I finally called Audi. That’s what I found out about the class action lawsuit which was already settled. I’ve already spent $900 on new parts for them to even diagnose the problem.”
In addition, the 2011 Audi A5 was also affected by the infamous Takata airbag recall. Tens of millions of vehicles were recalled because these faulty airbags can explode when deployed due to high heat and humidity.
Buy: 2014 Audi A5
The 2014 Audi A5 is one of the best luxury small cars during its release. It got quite a positive reception from customers and critics and was praised for its sophisticated styling, confident handling, upscale interior, and good fuel efficiency. As per CarComplaints, the 2014 A5 has only received 29 complaints, and three recalls – making it the most reliable Audi A5 year.
On the other hand, Consumer Reports also scored this luxury compact car with a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 in reliability and 4.0 out of 5.0 in owner satisfaction. According to CR, the 2014 A5 excelled in many major trouble spots, such as transmission, drive systems, electric systems, body hardware, and in-car electronics – this is excellent news for A5 buyers since these trouble areas matter when it comes to luxury vehicles.
Finally, the 2014 year is the only first-gen A5 model awarded with the “CR Recommended” badge, meaning it has above-average reliability and performed well in road tests.
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2018-Present Audi A5 (2nd Generation)
The second generation brought a significant redesign for the A5 coupe. Luckily, this generation has a lot of outstanding and reliable model years.
Buy: 2019 Audi A5
With a 2019 Audi A5, you’re essentially buying a relatively new model year, so you’ll spend more on a used luxury small car. However, many industry experts have given high marks to the 2019 A5 in reliability and dependability. For instance, J.D. Power has given the 2019 Audi A5 a respectable score of 82 out of 100 in Quality & Reliability.
Meanwhile, the 2019 A5 also received a favorable vote from Consumer Reports. According to CR, these A5 coupes, convertible, and hatchback models deserve a 4.0 out of 5.0 rating for both reliability and owner satisfaction. CR also tested this luxury car against various trouble spots and received high marks in categories like engine, transmission, drivetrain, suspension, and body hardware.
Expect to pay about $27,193 - $36,938 for a used 2019 A5. A bit on the expensive side, but it’s a reasonably reliable used car with little to no reliability issues.
Buy: 2021 Audi A5
For a top-tier combination of cutting-edge tech, premium interior, and lively powertrains, the 2021 is so easy to recommend for us. It’s essentially a brand-new model year, so there aren’t many complaints. However, CR also reviewed this Audi A5 positively, with a perfect 5.0 out of 5.0 in reliability and 4.0 out of 5.0 in owner satisfaction. Lastly, it’s also a “CAR Recommended” luxury small car, so this A5 is a cut above the rest in long-term reliability.
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