2012 Audi Q5 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Audi Q5 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Audi Q5 diesel than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Audi Q5

  18.5% All 2012 cars

  9.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints3.1× usual
  Audi Q5

  11.8% All 2012 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.3%, against 1.9% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

Common 2012 Audi Q5 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Audi Q5 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Suspension
  27% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  18% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  13% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Driveshafts and joints
  12% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2012 Audi Q5 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• S tronic control unit failure

  S tronic automatic

  The S tronic automatic can suffer costly control unit failures.

  At the viewing: Drive in traffic and check changes are smooth, with no jerks or warning lights.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

• Worn front ball joints

  All engines

  Creaky front suspension is usually worn ball joints, which can make the steering vague.

  At the viewing: Listen for creaks over bumps and feel for vague steering.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

• Airbag and heater recalls

  All engines

  There were recalls for airbags not deploying properly and for the air con’s auxiliary heater, plus a 2015 recall for possible fuel leaks.

  At the viewing: Make sure the airbag light goes out, and ask for proof the recalls were done.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

• Paint lifting on the wheel arches

  All engines

  On cars that are jet-washed a lot, paint can come off the wheel arch lips and they can rust.

  At the viewing: Look closely at the edges of all four wheel arches.

  Source: Auto Express: used Audi Q5 (Mk1, 2008-2016) what to look out for

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Audi Q5 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2012 Audi Q5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2012 Audi Q5 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?