Audi Q5: what fails at MOT
205,000 MOT tests on the Audi Q5 in 2024, counted. 13.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
13.7% of Audi Q5 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 21.3%, so the Q5 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on tyres (2.4% of tests), suspension (2% of tests) and lights and electrics (1.9% 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 | 19,132 | 7.3% | 10.9% | 28,000 21,000 to 36,300 |
| 2020 | 19,248 | 6.9% | 11.5% | 35,900 27,300 to 45,800 |
| 2019 | 23,120 | 8.5% | 13.4% | 43,400 33,700 to 55,100 |
| 2018 | 23,926 | 10.2% | 15.6% | 51,600 40,400 to 63,800 |
| 2017 | 18,503 | 14.9% | 18.2% | 60,500 47,700 to 74,600 |
| 2016 | 20,752 | 13.5% | 21.3% | 71,400 57,300 to 87,200 |
| 2015 | 19,496 | 15.2% | 24.4% | 80,100 64,600 to 97,000 |
| 2014 | 16,630 | 15.2% | 27.7% | 87,600 70,500 to 105,800 |
| 2013 | 11,881 | 16.5% | 30.6% | 98,800 80,400 to 120,500 |
| 2012 | 8,542 | 20.8% | 33.4% | 105,700 86,100 to 125,300 |
| 2011 | 9,607 | 24.9% | 36.1% | 114,300 93,400 to 136,100 |
| 2010 | 6,607 | 26.3% | 38.6% | 121,500 98,900 to 145,300 |
| 2009 | 7,054 | 28.4% | 39.8% | 129,700 107,600 to 151,800 |
| 2008 | 317 | 24.0% | 41.5% | 128,100 115,900 to 151,800 |
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 Q5 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Q5 | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 2.4% | 3.9% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 2.0% | 3.9% | Less than most |
| Lights and electrics | 1.9% | 5.1% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.8% | 1.3% | |
| Brakes | 1.1% | 3.2% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.0% | 1.4% | |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 0.9% | 2.5% | Less than most |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.5%
- Driveshaft joint1.5%
- Headlamp aim1.0%
- Tyre tread1.0%
- Engine warning light0.9%
- Brake pads0.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes0.8%
- Coil spring0.8%
- Washers0.5%
- Wipers0.4%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.4%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm0.9%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn0.8%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.8%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
- Headlamp aim: too low0.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.4%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.4%
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 edge9.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.3%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement4.7%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing2.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.2%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.0%
- Brake discs: worn, but not excessively1.4%
- Nail in tyre1.3%
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?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Audi Q5'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.