Audi A5 MOT pass rate and common problems
85.0% of 240,396 Audi A5 MOT tests pass.
The A5's pass rate of 85.0% is in line with the average across all Audi models, at 84.5%.
The Audi A5 passes its MOT 85.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi A5?
This is the average across every Audi A5 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 93.0% at 0–3 years to 79.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 93.0% | 7,367 | 27,086 miles |
| 3–6 years | 90.0% | 46,758 | 42,117 miles |
| 6–10 years | 86.4% | 83,199 | 71,344 miles |
| 10–15 years | 81.3% | 88,443 | 107,755 miles |
| 15+ years | 79.5% | 14,629 | 132,611 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi A5
The most common reason the Audi A5 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 44.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 44.7% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 31.7% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.2% | Too low |
| Brakes | 17.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 12.2% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.0% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 3.0% | Fixing missing |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
Buying a used Audi A5: what to check
These checks follow the Audi A5’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Audi A5 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 86.4% to 81.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 85.4% down to 81.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 44.7% of failed Audi A5 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 31.7% of failed Audi A5 MOTs. 11.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 28.2% of failed Audi A5 MOTs. 11.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.4% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 17.0% of failed Audi A5 MOTs. 5.2% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 12.2% of failed Audi A5 MOTs. 3.3% of tests at 10–15 years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi A3 — 82.2% pass rate
- Audi A4 — 80.0% pass rate
- Audi A1 — 82.9% pass rate
- Audi Q3 — 87.6% pass rate
- Audi A6 — 85.3% pass rate
- Audi TT — 83.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi A5?
- 85.0% of Audi A5 MOT tests pass, based on 240,396 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi A5?
- The most common reason the Audi A5 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 44.7% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Audi A5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi A5 are tyres; suspension; lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi A5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi A5's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.