2018 Audi Q5 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Audi Q5 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Audi Q5 petrol than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Coil springs21× usual
  Audi Q5

  2.1% All 2018 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Number plates2.1× usual
  Audi Q5

  3% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Coil springs1.9× usual
  Audi Q5

  2.1% All 2018 cars

  1.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.9%, against 0.9% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

Common 2018 Audi Q5 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Audi Q5 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  23% 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.

• Brakes
  16% 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.

• Suspension
  8% 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2018 Audi Q5 petrol

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.

• Brake recalls (built 2018 to 2020)

  Built 2018 to 2020

  Recalls covered brake master cylinders (built Aug to Nov 2018), brake piston coating that could lengthen stopping distances (built Mar to May 2018) and a part causing extra pedal travel (built Jan 2020).

  At the viewing: Ask an Audi dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q5 (2017 on) reliability

• Passenger airbag and mild-hybrid recalls

  Built 2017 to 2020

  Passenger airbags on cars built June to July 2017 might not deploy properly (the fix is a new dashboard), and moisture could get into the starter-alternator on mild hybrids built June 2017 to March 2020.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the recalls were done.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q5 (2017 on) reliability

• Infotainment freezing and electrical glitches

  All engines

  Owners report infotainment freezes and connection problems, faulty lights and sensors, and a few turbo and gearbox repairs.

  At the viewing: Use the screen, connect your phone, and check every light.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q5 (2017 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Audi Q5 petrol

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

1. Have the brake recalls been done? Can an Audi dealer confirm from the VIN?
2. Have the airbag and starter-alternator recalls been done?
3. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 21× as often on the 2018 Audi Q5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2018 Audi Q5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2018 Audi Q5 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?