Used car tests

Used buyer's guide: Audi A5 Sportback

Name: Audi A5 Sportback
Brand: Audi

From £12,000 Audi’s classy executive hatchback combines style with practicality

By:Auto Express team

9 Oct 2013

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What to look for

• Although the Sportback is a hatch, there’s no wash/wipe for the large rear window, so it gets dirty and stays that way.• The Multitronic gearbox has proven problematic in other Audi models, but less so in the five-door A5 – so far at least• Some owners have found oil consumption can be high. It’s more of an issue with the 2.0-litre TFSI engine.

Recalls

Audi has never recalled the A5 Sportback, while the A4 on which it’s based hasn’t been recalled since way back in 2005. A quick glance at the company’s recall record suggests that any safety-related issues tend to come to light pretty quickly on its cars – so after four years in production, the five-door A5 doesn’t seem likely to encounter any serious problems. There are never any cast-iron guarantees, however…

Driver Power

Our view

While the Sportback hasn’t appeared in our Driver Power satisfaction survey, the two-door A5 coupé finished 69th place. Owners raved about its performance and build quality, but criticised its running costs, reliability and ride quality.

Your view

Reader Adam Sayer from Cheltenham, Glos, owns a 2011 A5 Sportback 2.0 TDI. “It’s more stylish and less common than the A4 Avant I had before, but just as capable,” he told us. “Reliability and build quality are superb, as is the dealer.”