Audi A5

The timing chain on the 3.2 FSI V6 is located at the gearbox end and is extremely difficult to access (approximately 24 working hours, engine or gearbox removal required). Chain stretch leads to engine damage. Repair 2,500–5,000 €.

Symptoms: Rattling noise on start, camshaft deviation fault codes, engine stumbling under load

The CALA 3.0 TDI, like all modern 3.0 TDI engines, has a complex timing chain system with four chains. Chain stretch causes timing offset and can cause engine damage. Repair is involved (15–20 hours labour).

Symptoms: Rattling on cold start, power loss with severe stretch.

Isolated cases of engine damage on the CALA 3.2 FSI (also known by its B8 engine designation) at approximately 95,000 km from bearing failures. Expensive repair, often an economic write-off.

Symptoms: Knocking, power loss, oil pressure problems.

Reports of piston slap and increased oil consumption on the 3.2 FSI CALA. Longlife low-viscosity oil exacerbates timing chain problems. Significantly better with 5W-30 or 5W-40 higher-viscosity oil.

Symptoms: Knocking on cold running, increased oil consumption, blue smoke

The plastic water pump on the 3.2 FSI V6 can fail prematurely. A defective pump leads to overheating and can cause engine damage. Early preventive replacement recommended.

Symptoms: Coolant warning light, rising temperature, heater fails, coolant loss

The CVT Multitronic (0AW) tends to catastrophic failures around 100,000 km: juddering when pulling away, extreme rpm fluctuations and loss of reverse gear. Without regular gearbox oil changes, complete failure is likely.

A5 and Q5 models from 2008–2012 with a defective passenger airbag inflator. On deployment, uncontrolled gas pressure can release metal fragments.

Dampers and control arms wear noticeably from around 80,000 km, especially on Sport and S line suspension. A full control arm set costs €2,000–3,000; individual rear dampers around €1,000.

At the transitions between underbody sealant and paint, rust bubbles form on sills and wing bases. Dirt and moisture collect behind underbody covers.

The S tronic dual-clutch gearbox shows premature clutch wear in stop-and-go traffic and when towing. Juddering when pulling away and harsh gearshifts, often fixable by software update.

TÜV inspection reports flag brake hoses on the A5 8T twice as often as the class average. From around 10 years of age rubber hoses become porous.