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Audi A5: 2.0 TFSI EA888 Excessive Oil Consumption

2.0 TFSI EA888 Excessive Oil Consumption is a common engine fault on the Audi A5 on the 2008–2012 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs $4,500 to $9,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 25 documented faults on the Audi A5.

Vehicle
Audi A5
Engine
2.0L
Years
2008–2012
Fuel
petrol
System
Engine

This page covers the Audi A5 as a model. Some faults only affect particular engines or build years — enter a plate below to narrow the list to one car.

All Audi A5 faults25 documented faults on this model

What you are looking at

No photograph available

We do not hold a verified photograph for this fault yet. We would rather show none than show a picture of something else.

What goes wrong

The A5 8T fitted with the 2.0 TFSI (CAEB, and to a lesser extent CDNC) is among the primary models documented in Audi's oil consumption investigation and subsequent class action proceedings. Pre-mid-2011 EA888 Gen2 CAEB engines suffer from piston ring packs that allow excessive oil blow-by into the combustion chamber. Audi published a formal two-stage oil consumption test procedure to quantify the fault before authorising piston and ring replacement under warranty or goodwill. Post-2011 production units with revised ring tolerances show materially lower consumption, but high-mileage examples of either revision can develop consumption as valve stem seals and ring lands wear.

What you would notice

  • Oil level dropping measurably between oil changes — often exceeding one litre every 1,000–1,500 km on early-build engines
  • Blue or grey smoke visible from the exhaust during hard acceleration
  • Low oil warning light appearing well before the next scheduled service
  • Oil-fouled spark plugs found during service or diagnostic inspection

How to check it

Where to look. Internal engine — piston rings and cylinder bores

  1. Inspect the oil dipstick and confirm current level relative to last oil change date and distance.

  2. Ask the owner directly whether oil top-ups are required between services and how frequently.

  3. Review service history for records of oil consumption complaints or Audi's Stage 1 and Stage 2 procedures.

  4. Check spark plug condition for oil fouling.

  5. Confirm the engine build date relative to Audi's mid-2011 specification change.

What it costs to put right

$4,500 to $9,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

Ask the seller

  • “Has an Audi oil consumption test been performed?”
  • “How often is oil added between scheduled changes?”
  • “Have the pistons, rings, or valve stem seals been replaced?”

Now check the Audi A5 you are actually looking at

Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car has been looked after: its odometer history and whether the reading has ever gone backwards, whether there is still money owing on it, whether it has been reported stolen, how many owners it has had and what it is really worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate for the free details, or get the full history and a market valuation from $13.49.

Not sure what you would be paying for? See what a full KickTyres check includes.

Where this comes from

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.

Audi A5 buyer questions

Is 2.0 tfsi ea888 excessive oil consumption serious on a Audi A5?

We rate it major and common on the Audi A5. The A5 8T fitted with the 2.0 TFSI (CAEB, and to a lesser extent CDNC) is among the primary models documented in Audi's oil consumption investigation and subsequent class action proceedings. Pre-mid-2011 EA888 Gen2 CAEB engines suffer from piston ring packs that allow excessive oil blow-by into the combustion chamber. Audi published a formal two-stage oil consumption test procedure to quantify the fault before authorising piston and ring replacement under warranty or goodwill. Post-2011 production units with revised ring tolerances show materially lower consumption, but high-mileage examples of either revision can develop consumption as valve stem seals and ring lands wear.

How much does it cost to fix on a Audi A5?

$4,500 to $9,000 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.

Which Audi A5 years are affected?

Our research records this fault on the 2008–2012 Audi A5. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.

How do I check for it before I buy?

Inspect the oil dipstick and confirm current level relative to last oil change date and distance. Ask the owner directly whether oil top-ups are required between services and how frequently. Review service history for records of oil consumption complaints or Audi's Stage 1 and Stage 2 procedures. Check spark plug condition for oil fouling. Confirm the engine build date relative to Audi's mid-2011 specification change. Look here: Internal engine — piston rings and cylinder bores