Audi A5 buying guide (Ireland, 2026)
What a used Audi A5 costs in Ireland, how it does at the NCT, what goes wrong and what it costs to fix. Based on 365 for sale right now.
Executive car See every executive car's typical price.
Our take on the Audi A5
A 2023 Audi A5 typically advertises at €39,950 and a 2018 one at €24,000, so it loses roughly 10% of its value a year at that age. Most for sale are diesels (77%), which suit longer, regular drives; for mostly short trips a petrol is the safer buy. At the NCT, the 2020–2021 cars fail more often than other cars the same year, so a fresh NCT is worth paying a little more for. The 2.0 diesel is the most common engine (78% of those with a known engine), and it usually lasts around 350k km.
Check a Audi A5's priceNCT pass rate by year
Used Audi A5 prices by year
Typical asking price by registration year, and typical mileage. Private sellers usually take 5–10% less than asking; expect dealers to be a little dearer.
| Year | Typical price | Typical mileage | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | €63,000 | 4k km | 61 |
| 2025 | €54,900 | 20k km | 36 |
| 2024 | €46,500 | 53k km | 20 |
| 2023 | €39,950 | 74k km | 36 |
| 2022 | €36,750 | 101k km | 28 |
| 2021 | €32,450 | 105k km | 22 |
| 2020 | €28,950 | 126k km | 9 |
| 2019 | €25,950 | 114k km | 26 |
| 2018 | €24,000 | 123k km | 20 |
| 2017 | €19,450 | 181k km | 30 |
| 2016 | €14,750 | 198k km | 16 |
| 2015 | €11,000 | 218k km | 13 |
| 2014 | €8,950 | 295k km | 7 |
| 2013 | €13,950 | 266k km | 9 |
| 2012 | €7,500 | 263k km | 9 |
| 2011 | €8,200 | 190k km | 6 |
| 2010 | €4,950 | 234k km | 7 |
| 2009 | €7,400 | 280k km | 5 |
| 2008 | €4,000 | 270k km | 5 |
Audi A5 NCT pass rate
How often Audi A5s pass their NCT first time, compared with other cars the same year (Road Safety Authority (RSA), NCT make & model data 2025, initial tests).
| Year | Pass first time | Other cars, same year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 71% | 80% | |
| 2020 | 67% | 75% | |
| 2019 | 75% | 74% | |
| 2018 | 69% | 67% | |
| 2017 | 64% | 64% | |
| 2016 | 54% | 55% | |
| 2015 | 53% | 53% | |
| 2014 | 55% | 51% | |
| 2013 | 52% | 46% | |
| 2012 | 48% | 42% | |
| 2011 | 41% | 38% | |
| 2010 | 38% | 34% | |
| 2009 | 42% | 31% | |
| 2008 | 39% | 30% |
Most common reasons a 2021 Audi A5 fails: headlight aim (11.8% of tests, more than most cars), wheels & tyres (7.1% of tests, more than most cars), safety equipment (6.2% of tests, more than most cars), shock absorbers (5% of tests, more than most cars).
Cheap fixes before the NCT (eBay.ie): Tyre tread depth gaugeWiper blades for the Audi A5
Common Audi A5 problems
Known weak spots to check before you buy, with typical Irish garage costs if the problem is there.
Automatic gearbox health · €300–€2,500
Make sure the gear changes are smooth when warm, check for a gearbox warning light and ask if the gearbox oil was ever changed.
EGR / DPF blocking (1.6/2.0 TDI) · €300–€900
Ask how it's driven: short trips clog the DPF. Any DPF/engine light, limp mode, or heavy smoke when revved is a warning.
Timing belt history · €350–€700
Ask when the timing belt and water pump were last done (usually every 160,000 km or 5–6 years). No proof = budget for it.
Engines and how long they last
| Engine | Usually lasts | Motor tax / year | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 Diesel | ~350k km | ~€200 | 224 |
| 2.0 Hybrid | ~300k km | ~€200 | 44 |
| 2.0 Petrol | ~220k km | ~€420 | 19 |
2.0 Petrol: usual problem: heavy oil use and timing chain.
"Usually lasts" is the mileage these engines commonly reach before major work; service history matters more than the number.
Parts and upgrades for the Audi A5
Parts for the Audi A5 on eBay.ie
New and used parts from Irish and UK sellers. Check the part number or fit before you buy.
Brake padsCheck front or rear, and the disc size if there are twoSee on eBay.ie →
Brake discsReplace in pairs, with new padsSee on eBay.ie →
Oil filterChange it at every oil serviceSee on eBay.ie →
Wiper bladesSplit or smearing blades can fail the NCTSee on eBay.ie →
BulbsA blown bulb is an easy NCT failSee on eBay.ie →
BatteryCheck the size and terminal layoutSee on eBay.ie →
OBD2 fault code readerReads engine fault codes on your phoneSee on eBay.ie →Example photos, not the exact product (Wikimedia Commons): Treemonster86, CC BY-SA 3.0; Tharish, CC BY-SA 3.0; Dvortygirl, CC BY-SA 3.0; Wesha, Public domain; Mib18, CC BY-SA 3.0; Cjp24, CC BY-SA 4.0; Arp, Public domain.
Upgrades for the Audi A5
Popular add-ons. The mats are made for this model; the rest fit most cars. More car accessories →
Floor matsMade to fit the Audi A5See on eBay.ie →
CarPlay screenAdds Apple CarPlay (and usually Android Auto) to a car without it: sits on the dashSee on eBay.ie →
Wireless CarPlay adapterFor cars that already have CarPlay with a cableSee on eBay.ie →
Reversing cameraMakes parking easier; some CarPlay screens come with oneSee on eBay.ie →
Phone holderKeeps your phone off your lap for directionsSee on eBay.ie →
Dash camFootage settles insurance arguments quicklySee on eBay.ie →Example photos, not the exact product (Wikimedia Commons): Keystones, CC BY-SA 3.0; Butterhimmel, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sunnyboy122, CC0; https://www.flickr.com/photos/banoootah_qtr/, CC BY 2.0; Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0; Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Before you buy a used Audi A5
Run a history check on the reg (write-off, finance owing, mileage), ask when the timing belt was done and for receipts, and start it from cold yourself. The used car checklist takes you through a viewing step by step.