Audi A5: what fails at MOT
227,000 MOT tests on the Audi A5 in 2024, counted. 18% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
18% of Audi A5 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 25.1%, so the A5 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (4.6% of tests), suspension (3.1% of tests) and lights and electrics (2.5% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,500 | 9.7% | 10.9% | 26,100 18,900 to 34,800 |
| 2020 | 10,138 | 10.2% | 11.5% | 32,800 24,600 to 42,900 |
| 2019 | 19,011 | 11.8% | 13.4% | 39,800 30,000 to 51,800 |
| 2018 | 21,898 | 12.6% | 15.6% | 48,700 37,500 to 62,800 |
| 2017 | 27,842 | 14.1% | 18.2% | 59,900 46,600 to 74,700 |
| 2016 | 14,578 | 16.2% | 21.3% | 69,400 54,000 to 87,200 |
| 2015 | 18,491 | 18.6% | 24.4% | 78,500 60,600 to 98,900 |
| 2014 | 18,646 | 20.1% | 27.7% | 87,900 67,900 to 110,900 |
| 2013 | 18,561 | 21.3% | 30.6% | 94,100 73,800 to 118,400 |
| 2012 | 16,320 | 21.4% | 33.4% | 102,300 80,400 to 127,300 |
| 2011 | 16,502 | 23.6% | 36.1% | 107,200 83,600 to 134,900 |
| 2010 | 16,741 | 25.6% | 38.6% | 114,900 91,700 to 141,500 |
| 2009 | 9,876 | 26.9% | 39.8% | 121,800 97,300 to 150,900 |
| 2008 | 6,307 | 25.5% | 41.5% | 128,700 105,400 to 154,100 |
| 2007 | 2,002 | 24.5% | 41.5% | 137,600 112,700 to 164,300 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Audi A5 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | A5 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.6% | 4.2% | |
| Suspension | 3.1% | 5.4% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 2.5% | 6.6% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 1.7% | 4.0% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.4% | 2.8% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.1% | 1.8% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.0% | 1.8% | Less than most |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.3% | 0.2% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.0%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Headlamp aim1.3%
- Coil spring1.1%
- Brake pads1.0%
- Engine warning light0.8%
- Shock absorbers0.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.7%
- Wipers0.7%
- Driveshaft joint0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.2%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.1%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.9%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.7%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak0.7%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement5.3%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.9%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil3.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened3.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.6%
- Tyre: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.4%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.4%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Audi A5's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.