Audi Q5 MOT pass rate and common problems
88.8% of 209,716 Audi Q5 MOT tests pass.
The Q5 has a pass rate of 88.8%, a little higher than the average across all Audi models (84.5%).
The Audi Q5 passes its MOT 88.8% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi Q5?
This is the average across every Audi Q5 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 94.2% at 0–3 years to 76.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.2% | 16,284 | 28,883 miles |
| 3–6 years | 93.4% | 63,566 | 43,236 miles |
| 6–10 years | 88.2% | 77,791 | 73,070 miles |
| 10–15 years | 82.8% | 48,644 | 108,881 miles |
| 15+ years | 76.3% | 3,431 | 133,214 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi Q5
The most common reason the Audi Q5 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 29.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 29.5% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 27.9% | Too low |
| Suspension | 26.8% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Body, chassis, structure | 19.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Brakes | 14.1% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 10.0% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 9.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.6% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Steering | 1.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Road Wheels | 1.3% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Audi Q5: what to check
These checks follow the Audi Q5’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 Q5 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 82.8% to 76.3%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 90,000–120,000 mi to 120,000+ mi: 84.3% down to 80.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 29.5% of failed Audi Q5 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. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 27.9% of failed Audi Q5 MOTs. 12.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.1% 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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 26.8% of failed Audi Q5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
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.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 19.3% of failed Audi Q5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 11.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 14.1% of failed Audi Q5 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
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.
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 Q3 — 87.6% pass rate
- Audi A6 — 85.3% pass rate
- Audi TT — 83.4% pass rate
- Audi Q2 — 93.3% pass rate
- Audi Q7 — 87.9% pass rate
- Audi A7 — 89.7% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi Q5?
- 88.8% of Audi Q5 MOT tests pass, based on 209,716 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi Q5?
- The most common reason the Audi Q5 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 29.5% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Audi Q5?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi Q5 are tyres; lights and electrics; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi Q5?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; suspension; bodywork and corrosion; brakes. 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 Q5'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.