How much does a 2008 AUDI A5 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,045 (£170/month), including £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2008 AUDI A5?

The 2008 AUDI A5 has a 83% MOT pass rate based on 8,932 tests in 2026. This ranks 147 out of 589 cars from 2008.

Which year AUDI A5 is most reliable?

The 2021 AUDI A5 has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 2007 at 82%.

What is the average mileage for a 2008 AUDI A5?

The average mileage for a 2008 AUDI A5 is 132,636 miles, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

AUDI A5 (2008)

Q: Is the 2008 AUDI A5 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 83% of AUDI A5s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 8,932 tests. That's 1 points above the national average of 82%.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 8,932 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,045

£170/month

MOT Pass Rate

83%

Good

Road Tax

£395

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 30-42

2999cc Diesel

Solid Option

83% pass rate, £2045/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Diesel2999cc18 years old8,932 tests133k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2999cc)

~40 mpg

£1,245

Road Tax

Based on 2999cc

£395

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,045

Per month£170/mo

Per week£39/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

83% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the AUDI brand average of 90%.

At 18 years old, 83% of AUDI A5s from 2008 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 8,932 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 132,636 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2008 cars147th of 589(top 25%)

Rank among AUDI models921th of 1,079(top 85%)

vs national average+1%(82% avg)

vs 2008 cars average+10%(73% avg)

vs AUDI average-7%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

132,636

Average miles

133,200

Expected for age

The average 2008 AUDI A5 has 132,636 miles on the clock, which is in line with the expected 133,200 miles for a 18-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 2007 model has the lowest at 82%. The 2008 sits between the two at 83%.

AUDI A5 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	92%	768	29,053 mi
2020	91%	5,513	35,048 mi
2019	90%	22,290	43,034 mi
2018	90%	25,771	52,385 mi
2017	89%	33,531	63,247 mi
2016	88%	17,690	73,631 mi
2015	87%	22,720	82,750 mi
2014	86%	23,251	92,783 mi
2013	85%	23,409	98,721 mi
2012	85%	20,845	106,193 mi
2011	83%	21,339	112,687 mi
2010	82%	22,181	119,440 mi
2009	82%	13,400	125,967 mi
2008	83%	8,932	132,636 mi
2007	82%	3,222	141,630 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

BMW 3 SERIES

2008 · 2926cc Diesel

£1,900/year

80%

-3%

JAGUAR XF

2010 · 2993cc Diesel

£1,900/year

80%

-3%

AUDI TT

2008 · 3189cc Diesel

£1,900/year

81%

-2%

MERCEDES E

2009 · 3498cc Diesel

£1,900/year

80%

-3%

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About the 2008 AUDI A5

The 2008 AUDI A5 is a premium performance with a 2999cc diesel engine. 8,932 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a reasonably common sight on UK roads. It ranks in the top 25% of all 2008 cars for reliability.

With an average of 132,636 miles at 18 years old, AUDI A5 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2008 AUDI A5 Fuel Costs

The 2999cc diesel engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 40 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,245 per year at current diesel prices of 148p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year). Diesel cars of this age should have their DPF (diesel particulate filter) checked, as replacements can be costly.

What does it cost to own a 2008 AUDI A5?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,045 (£170/month), broken down as £1245 fuel, £395 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 83% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

AUDI A5 Reliability Trend

Newer AUDI A5s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 6 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2008 AUDI A5

At 18 years old, the AUDI A5 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. With 8,932 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2008 AUDI A5's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)

Watch out

Short journeys clog the DPF. Replacement costs £1,000-£2,500. Check the DPF warning light and ask about driving patterns.

Turbo Wear

Watch out

Diesel turbos work harder and wear faster. Listen for whining noises and check for oil leaks around the turbo housing.

EGR Valve

Watch out

Exhaust Gas Recirculation valves clog with carbon deposits, causing rough running and poor economy. Cleaning costs £150-£300, replacement £300-£600.

Dual Mass Flywheel

Watch out

Larger diesel engines put extra strain on the dual mass flywheel. Listen for rattling at idle. Replacement with clutch is £800-£1,500.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 133k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2008 AUDI A5 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
AUDI A5(2008)	83%	£1245	£395	Grp 30-42	£2045
BMW 3 SERIES(2008)	80%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£1900-£145
JAGUAR XF(2010)	80%	£1245	£250	Grp 30-42	£1900-£145
AUDI TT(2008)	81%	£1245	£250	Grp 35-50	£1900-£145
MERCEDES E(2009)	80%	£1245	£250	Grp 35-50	£1900-£145

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.