IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2007 Audi A5 Mk1 (8T/8F)

Launch era of the 8T A5 Coupé, shown at Geneva in March 2007 and on UK roads from autumn 2007 with 2.0 TFSI and 3.2 FSI petrols plus 2.7/3.0 TDI diesels; the Cabriolet followed in 2009 and the Sportback four-door fastback in 2010, all pre-facelift cars wearing the delicate pre-2012 engines and early electronics.

What changed for 2007

  • •Audi's first dedicated coupé nameplate since the 80 Coupé, spun off from the B8 A4
  • •Cabriolet (2009) and Sportback (2009/2010) expanded the body styles
  • •Torsen quattro on higher-powered cars; front-drive or multitronic on some petrol engines
  • •Early 2.0 TFSI engines suffer known oil-consumption and carbon-buildup tendencies

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Oil-leaking cam-chain cover gaskets and coolant pump/weir housing seepage on 2.0 TFSI cars
  • !Rusted steel brake lines and corroded rear calliper slides on salt-bitten UK examples
  • !DPF blockages on 2.0 TDI cars that lived on short school runs
3
Known Issues
2
Serious
1
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Multitronic CVT Failure

SeriousGearbox & Transmission

Front-wheel-drive automatic cars use the Multitronic CVT, which can judder, flare, or lose drive if fluid changes were skipped or the gearbox ECU starts to fail.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,000–£2,500
Warning Signs:

Rev flare under gentle acceleration, Judder pulling away, Flashing PRNDS or gearbox warning

What to Inspect:
  • Drive the car from cold and when fully warm in stop-start traffic
  • Ask for fluid-service invoices at the correct intervals
  • Prefer manuals or well-documented quattro S tronic cars if the history is patchy
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

S tronic (DL501) Mechatronic Failure

SeriousGearbox & Transmission

The 7-speed wet-clutch S tronic on quattro models can suffer mechatronic unit and clutch pack wear, especially if fluid changes were skipped.

Est. Repair Cost: £1,000–£2,500
Warning Signs:

Jerky pull-away, Hesitation selecting reverse, Gearbox malfunction warning

What to Inspect:
  • Drive in slow traffic for smoothness
  • Check for DSG fluid change invoices every 38k miles
  • Look for jerky shifts when cold
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

DPF Clogging on Diesels

ModerateExhaust & Emissions

Town-driven diesel A5s block their DPFs, triggering limp mode and expensive forced regenerations or replacement.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£1,500
Warning Signs:

DPF warning light, Limp mode, Reduced fuel economy and power

What to Inspect:
  • Ask about driving patterns and motorway use
  • Check for DPF-related fault codes
  • Verify EGR system history
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Buying Tips for 2007 Audi A5 Mk1 (8T/8F)

  • Insist on oil-level evidence and consumption test results for pre-2011 2.0 TFSI cars
  • Check the coupé roof and cabriolet hood mechanism operate fully - motors and drains clog
  • A well-kept 3.2 FSI or 3.0 TDI quattro is the sweet spot; the early base petrols are the risky ones
2008
Check a 2007 Audi A5 Mk1 (8T/8F) by Registration