IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2016 Audi A5 Mk2 (F5)

We've identified 4 known issues that can affect the 2016 Audi A5 Mk2 (F5). 1 of these are serious faults that could be expensive to repair.

4
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
1
Minor

All Known Issues

DL382 S tronic Gear Selection / Mechatronic Faults

SeriousGearbox & Transmission

Control or clutch faults can interrupt gear selection. Identify the gearbox code first: this entry applies to the longitudinal DL382 family, not every automatic sold under the same model name.

Warning Signs:

Gearbox warning, Delayed engagement or missing gears

What to Inspect:
  • Test drive from cold and again when warm
  • Check gearbox-specific service invoices and obtain a diagnostic report
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Water Pump / Thermostat Housing Leak

ModerateCooling System

Like the B9 A4, the A5 uses plastic cooling components that can seep or fail, causing repeated low-coolant warnings without an obvious puddle.

Est. Repair Cost: £350–£750
Warning Signs:

Low coolant warning, Pink residue at the front of the engine, Sweet smell after shutdown

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect coolant level from cold and look around the pump and housing for staining
  • Check whether the car needs repeated top-ups
  • Look for specialist or dealer invoices rather than generic coolant additions
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

NOx Sensor / AdBlue Faults

ModerateExhaust & Emissions

Diesel SCR hardware can trigger AdBlue countdowns, engine-management lights, and expensive sensor or injector replacement once the car is out of warranty.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£1,200
Warning Signs:

AdBlue warning or no-start countdown, Engine light with emissions faults, Repeated warnings soon after topping up AdBlue

What to Inspect:
  • Scan the car for stored NOx and SCR faults
  • Ask for evidence of recent sensor, injector, or software work
  • Avoid diesel cars used only for short commutes if the emissions history is patchy
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

MMI / Virtual Cockpit Glitches

MinorElectrics & Electronics

Screen freezes, camera dropouts, and Bluetooth instability are common enough on early cars to be worth a deliberate test during inspection.

Est. Repair Cost: £0–£800
Warning Signs:

Rebooting or blank centre screen, Camera unavailable message, Phone pairing or audio dropping out

What to Inspect:
  • Use navigation, media, phone, and camera functions together
  • Check software update history
  • Verify that the car remembers paired devices and does not reboot during the drive
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2016 Audi A5 Mk2 (F5)

  • ✓Inspect the water pump and thermostat housing for crusty pink residue, as slow coolant leaks are very common on both the 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI engines.
  • ✓Test the S tronic gearbox for smooth engagement; hesitations or clunky shifts could indicate a failing mechatronic unit, especially if the 38k-mile fluid changes were missed.
  • ✓Check the MMI infotainment screen and Virtual Cockpit for flickering, lagging, or black screens, which may require expensive software updates or unit replacements.
  • ✓On diesel models, check for AdBlue system warnings, as failed NOx sensors or injector pumps can lead to a 'no-start' countdown and costly repairs.
  • ✓Examine the front suspension for knocking noises over speed bumps, which is typically caused by premature wear of the complex multi-link control arm bushes.
  • ✓Ensure the matrix LED headlights (if fitted) are fully functional without moisture ingress, as replacing a faulty cluster is exceptionally expensive.
2017
Check a 2016 Audi A5 Mk2 (F5) by Registration