2013 Audi A5 2.0L Diesel · AW05 AHW

A clean DVSA record with a single rectified failure and only one minor advisory across four years of testing establishes this A5 as a vehicle with a fundamentally sound roadworthiness profile. The most recent assessment on 28 March 2025 returned a pass with no defects recorded, continuing the trend set by the previous pass in November 2023. The lone failure, recorded on 14 July 2022, concerned an offside front headlamp not functioning on dipped beam, which was presumably replaced the same day given the immediately adjacent pass entry stamped the same date. The only advisory of note, a defective nearside front wiper blade flagged as a minor on 9 February 2022, is a routine consumable item with no structural or mechanical implications. The overall pattern suggests a car that has been maintained to a satisfactory standard and has not exhibited any recurring or systemic component failures across the recorded test cycle. With 123,806 miles recorded against an age of approximately 13 years, this A5 has covered roughly 9,500 miles annually, which sits comfortably within the typical usage band for a vehicle of its vintage. There are no significant gaps in the MOT testing history that would imply extended periods off the road, and the absence of mileage discrepancies between consecutive tests confirms continuous use. Mechanically, this level of annual mileage implies steady but moderate wear on consumables, with brake discs and pads likely approaching their second or third replacement cycle, tyres rotated or replaced several times, and suspension components subjected to ongoing but not extreme stress. The drivetrain, whether the 2.0 TFSI petrol or the various TDI diesels fitted to this model, should have accumulated sufficient warm-up cycles to avoid the issues associated with predominantly short-trip or long-idle usage. For a prospective buyer, the inspection priorities should centre on the areas that historically challenge the A5 platform once mileage passes the six-figure threshold. The front suspension, particularly the upper and lower wishbones, track rod ends, and anti-roll bar drop links, should be examined for perished or split bushes and excessive play, as these are common wear items that can produce clonking noises over speed humps and vague steering response. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or creaking from the front end over uneven surfaces and check for wandering or a tendency to pull to one side under braking, which may indicate worn lower wishbone rear bushes or a binding caliper. The rear suspension should similarly be assessed for failing coil springs, a known A5 weakness that can manifest as a slight rear sag or an audible thump over bumps. Given the headlamp failure on the 2022 test, the front lighting assemblies and the electrical integrity of the connector housings warrant close inspection, as moisture ingress into the headlamp units is a recurring issue on this generation of Audi and can lead to intermittent bulb or LED failures. On the road, verify that both dipped and main beam functions are fully operational from the offside unit in particular, and check that the adaptive or cornering light functions, where fitted, operate without fault codes. Given the diesel variants, listen for any timing chain rattle on cold start, inspect the turbocharger and intercooler pipework for oil misting or boost leaks, and ensure there is no excessive smoke from the exhaust on initial startup. The test drive should include a steady motorway cruise to assess for any vibration through the steering wheel or drivetrain, which could point to worn engine mounts, propshaft flex discs, or wheel balancing issues consistent with higher-mileage use.