Audi A5 - Reliability & safety

Although the Euro NCAP safety experts have yet to assess the A5, every Audi tested since 2015 has achieved the maximum five stars, so it’s not unreasonable to expect that run to continue when the A5 has its turn. 

Standard safety kit on all cars includes adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and intersection, turn and swerve assist, as well as front and rear parking sensors and 360-degree and rear-view cameras. But only the top Edition 1 models get lane-change assist, the top-down camera and the proactive passenger-protection system that preempts an accident and primes the car’s safety systems. 

The outgoing A4 finished quite a long way down our Driver Power rankings of the 50 best cars according to owners. It ranked 44th, with the reliability rating a couple of positions lower, although owners rated it highly for value and for economy and running costs. 

Warranty

Audi only gives what is the most basic of warranties at three years and 60,000 miles. Both BMW and Mercedes at least offer unlimited miles with their three-year warranties, whereas other premium brands are more generous, with Genesis giving five years and unlimited miles, and Alfa Romeo five years or 75,000 miles, while Lexus will go to 10 years or 100,000, provided the car is serviced at a main dealer every year. 

It is possible to extend the A5’s warranty to four years/75,000 miles or five years/90,000 miles for an extra cost. 

Servicing

Audi hasn’t yet put out details of the service schedule for the A5, but its cars are available with flexible servicing, which is up to 18,600 miles or two years depending on the car’s sensors assessing the oil degradation. But on some models Audi offers a one-year or 9,300-mile oil service, and an inspection service every two years or 18,600 miles.

Audi pledges to price-match on service, repair, maintenance or new tyres, on any quote that includes Audi genuine parts.