A non-running Audi RS5 at a salvage auction is a gamble with two possible endings. If it only needs a battery, you look like a genius. If it needs an engine, however, the bargain disappears fast.
The car flipper behind @NotEconomicallyViable took that gamble on a 2011 model. He paid about $8,700 at a Copart auction for a car he says would be worth about $16,000 on its best day. (All prices here are converted to US dollars at the Nov. 6, 2026 exchange rate and rounded.) Yet he had almost nothing to go on.
He points out that the car cost about $127,000 new, and he bought it for a fraction of that.
An Audi RS5 With A Very Short Listing
He says the only information in the listing was a possible starter issue. Meanwhile, he had already found a second-hand engine for sale online at more than $11,500. So the result would decide whether he made money or lost it.
At the auction yard, he connected a jump pack. The dash lit up and filled with warnings, but nothing happened when he pressed start.
Back at his workshop, the car looked well kept. It had just under 100,000 miles, a full service history, aftermarket wheels and Bilstein suspension. It had also passed its inspection a month and a half earlier, only about 700 miles before.
The Click That Mattered
After he confirmed the battery was healthy, he tried again and heard the starter click. That told him the starter was getting the signal. Either the starter had failed or, worse, it was trying to turn an engine that would not move.
“If we’ve got a locked up engine, that is basically going to signal bankruptcy.”
Getting a tool onto the crank bolt took some improvising, because the V8 sits so far forward. Once he did, the engine would not turn at all. Then he and a mechanic friend spotted sealant that did not look factory, plus rounded bolts. To them, those were signs that someone had opened the engine before for timing-chain work.
Metal In The Oil
The oil itself looked fresh. Even so, the sump held fine metal and one larger chunk. Next, an inspection camera went in through a small opening. It showed a shard of metal hanging off a connecting rod and a bearing that had turned black from heat.
“That’s a spun bearing.”
On camera, they talked through possible causes. These included debris left behind after earlier engine work, or an engine that ran without proper oil pressure. Still, they said they could not know for sure and did not want to point fingers.
The Options And The Bill
He then called a specialist, who gave a ballpark of about $18,700 to $20,100 to rebuild the engine. A new crankshaft could add more on top of that. In addition, his sister, who works at a parts supplier, found a reconditioned engine for about $10,300 plus VAT.
His other options are to send the car back to auction with an honest note or break it for parts. Alternatively, he could try rebuilding the engine himself for the first time.
What To Know Before Buying A Non-Runner At Auction
- Treat a vague fault like a possible starter issue as unknown, and budget for the worst case.
- Price a replacement engine before you bid.
- If you can, try turning the engine by hand before you use the starter.
- Fresh oil and a tidy service book do not rule out internal damage.
- Non-factory sealant points to recent engine work, so ask the seller what changed and why.
Where Things Stand
For now, the Audi RS5 sits in his workshop with a seized engine. He says he would love to put it back on the road. To pay for it, he plans to raise the money through his own competition and merchandise. If that falls short, the auction and parts routes are still on the table.
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