Audi RS5 Best and Worst Years (Quick Facts!)

We frequently find ourselves staring at first-generation Audi R8s and perhaps even vintage Ferraris when browsing the web classifieds for vehicles to fit in our ideal garages.

But the Audi RS5 always grabs our eye regarding more sensible options.

The more recent, twin-turbocharged, fire-breathing RS5s are not the more traditional, pavement-pounding V8-equipped RS5s.

Although they are now more inexpensive, what are the greatest and worst years for the Audi RS5?

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VIDEO: This Is Why You Buy An Audi RS5

Audi RS5 Best and Worst Years

The finest and worst years of the Audi RS5 are hotly debated. According to, the S5, a vehicle comparable to the RS5, has always had a good model year. On the other hand, several experts have called the first-generation Audi RS5 a decent buy, but it could be a money hole. Furthermore, the RS5 has lengthy official condition-based service gaps of up to 19,000 miles or two years. Furthermore, according to a review, the RS5 isn’t considered one of Audi’s best fast vehicles. Last but not least, assesses all five Audi RS vehicles marketed in the US from worst to best without supplying detailed information on each RS5 model year.

Audi RS5’s Overview

We recommend you to read this: Audi RS6 Best and Worst Years (Quick Facts!)

For the 2013 model year, the first-generation Audi RS5s made their way to US soil. They had a powerful V8 engine and were available as coupes and convertibles.

Its V8 was unique because it generated 317 lb-ft of torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm and 450 horsepower at an incredible 8,250 rpm.

A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission coupled to this enchanted engine sent power to all four wheels using Audi’s famed quattro technology. A 4.2-liter V8, the all-wheel-drive vehicle, may sound like supercar data to those keeping track, and you would be somewhat correct.

However, even though the aforementioned R8 had an all-wheel-drive system and a 4.2-liter V8 engine, the Audi RS5 had 20 more horsepower at the time.

Any vehicle enthusiast’s mouth might moisten after seeing these exact numbers. But remember that the RS5 has four seats and a more understated appearance than the R8.

Is an Audi RS5 a good investment?

Depending on the mileage and condition, the current 2013–2015 Audi RS5s for sale range in price from the low $20,000s to $45,000s countrywide. A 2013 Audi RS5 with 119,000 kilometers on the odometer is currently listed for $20,988.

That doesn’t seem all that horrible.

The 2014 Audi RS5’s True Cost of Ownership calculator, which breaks down the estimated 5-year ownership costs, reveals the other side of the tale.

According to Edmunds, the depreciation impact is around $20,457, and the repair costs total $9,385.

Its “cheap” Audi RS5 might cost more than $72,000 when all the repairs, insurance costs, depreciation, taxes paid, etc., are considered. Assuming you keep the vehicle for five years and log 15,000 miles annually.

This is just one example, and the Edmunds experts and their helpful calculators are still making assumptions based on certain factors, but it’s a sobering truth that must be accepted.

In addition, German cars, including older Audis, may be expensive to repair and insure. Therefore, be ready.

We’re not suggesting that you save $70,000 before purchasing a first-generation RS5, but it’s probably a good idea to set aside some money for any unanticipated repairs. Unfortunately, with this specific model, you could require a lot of it.

Thankfully, the 2013–2015 Audi RS5 didn’t have many maintenance concerns. In actuality, there aren’t any complaints about particular cars on Carcomplaints.com.

The car is not indestructible, but if you can afford one of these RS5s and the upkeep and repair costs, it may be worth the 4-second 0-60 times. Especially given that the vehicle cost around $70,000 when it was brand-new.

On the other hand, is it worthwhile to spend $20,000–$40,000 on a performance car that could end up costing an arm and a leg in the future? Probably not to the typical customer.

Purchase something more useful in that situation.

How Safe is an Audi RS5

The Audi RS5 is a safe vehicle to drive, thanks to its numerous safety measures.

Active safety features like automatic emergency braking, electronic stability control, lane keep assist, and driver attentiveness recognition is included with the 2021 model.

The top-tier RS5 Sportback variant includes six airbags and a 5-star Euro NCAP certification as safety features. Key safety features like blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist are available on the 2023 RS5 Coupe.

In addition, the 2023 model comes standard with stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automated emergency braking.

How Can You Tell Whether Something Is a Lemon?

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Purchase a vehicle history report.

There is no better initial step when purchasing a used car than to obtain a car history report. Two well-known services offer this information for little money: Anyone looking to purchase a used car will find the information provided by CarFax and AutoCheck extremely helpful.

The reports let you know the number of past owners, whether or not it had any accidents, how frequently it required maintenance, and the current title.

The final section is among the most crucial since it contains the lemon label, which attests that the car followed the correct legal procedures to be designated as a lemon.

However, in some areas, dealers must inform a customer if the vehicle is a manufacturer buyback, which is a reliable way to determine whether a vehicle has a lemon title.

However, it is the responsibility of the buyer to conduct a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s history.

Therefore, consumers may need help if they accidentally purchase a secondhand lemon because they must inspect it first.

Owner Background

You can view the owner’s history on the vehicle history report, which should indicate whether the manufacturer has purchased the vehicle back.

While owners can claim a car is a lemon in a legal dispute and ask the automaker to buy back the problematic vehicle, that is a guaranteed technique to determine if the car was labeled a lemon.

You can also determine if the vehicle was sold or traded before it was given a lemon tag if the prior owner may have missed an issue. It also implies that the car’s persistent issue must be apparent.

Repair Record

Look carefully at the vehicle’s repair record and try to identify any recurring issues. Recurring problems in cars with lemon histories are simple to spot.

You can determine whether the issues with the car are minor wear and tear concerns, such as those with the clutch or brakes, or a more severe problem.

Check to discover if the repairs were necessary or carried out even when the car was brand new. It can assist in determining whether the car is a lemon or if an incident like a collision or modification caused a misdiagnosed issue.

Are the repairs significant or minor? A severe repair would deal with the drivetrain or suspension, whereas a superficial one would address non-driving-related issues like window or seat controls.

Severe repairs would be more challenging, but handling a car might not be a hassle if a car was considered a lemon for a less severe cause.

The report also shows whether repairs are being made at a dealership or a general shop. Like you would with any used car, examine the vehicle’s general condition and health and determine whether routine maintenance has also been carried out.

This will assist you in deciding whether or not you should consider purchasing this car.

Inspection before purchase

Is the car still a good investment? You should get a pre-purchase inspection if the flaws are not too concerning or if you believe the automobile may have been incorrectly labeled as a lemon.

A mechanic can determine whether the problems are repairable and why the car was considered a lemon.

A technician can assist you in determining whether or not a recurring issue is indicative of more severe problems or worries about the quality of the vehicle.

Their satisfaction with the car might help determine if it is a worthwhile investment or a lost cause.

Audi RS5 FAQ’s

Is the Audi RS5 trustworthy?

Will the RS5 be trustworthy? Audi placed 18th out of 30 manufacturers in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Study, which wasn’t a particularly good showing. It puts it behind BMW but ahead of Alfa Romeo (26th rank) (13th).

Are 2015 RS5s trustworthy?

Value for the money: 4.9 for performance. 4.3. Exterior elaboration 5. Dependability 4.6.

Is the 2013 Audi RS5 dependable?

Research will reveal that while these cars are incredibly dependable, even routine maintenance is very expensive. There are vehicles that are faster and more capable than an RS5, but they are virtually exclusively pure sports vehicles, like as a 911, so I deducted one star for performance.

When did Audi start producing the RS5?

German compact executive performance car Audi RS5, manufactured from 2010 until the present. A German race car from 2013–2018 is the Audi RS5 DTM. Till 2019: German racing vehicle, Audi RS5 Turbo DTM.

Is the 2014 Audi RS5 dependable?

Value for the money 4.6. Exterior styling 4.8. Performance 4.9. Reliability 4.8.