MOT performance
Audi A5 MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 253,626 MOT tests of the Audi A5 in 2023–2024, 78.4% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Audi A5s failed 26% less often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, on 3.34% of tests.
253,626 MOT tests on 131,506 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 78.4% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 253,626 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.74× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.7% | n = 253,626 |
| Average age at test | 8.6 years | n = 253,626 |
| Median mileage at test | 74,791 miles | n = 253,626 |
| Vehicles tested | 131,506 | 2023–2024 |
Where Audi A5s fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 8.7% | +25% |
| Suspension | 5.7% | -38% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 4.9% | -56% |
| Brakes | 3.2% | -53% |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.8% | -39% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 2.0% | -38% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.0% | -35% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% | +57% |
| Road wheels | 0.5% | +19% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.5% | -44% |
| Steering | 0.3% | -87% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | -78% |
Audi A5 MOT pass rate by fuel: diesel vs petrol
Raw pass rates partly reflect how old each fuel's cars are; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Fuels that differ materially from the model as a whole have their own page.
| Fuel | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 147,532 | 9.2 yrs | 75.9% | -22% |
| Petrol | 106,083 | 7.8 yrs | 82.0% | -32% |
Audi A5 MOT pass rate by generation
Generations by first-registration date against 73 Auto's catalogue (cars registered within three months of a changeover left out).
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8T (2007–2016) | 159,015 | 10.9 yrs | 74.6% | -29% |
| F5 (2016–2024) | 88,010 | 4.6 yrs | 85.3% | -16% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.34% |
| Condition: has ply or cords exposed | Tyres | 2.27% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 1.99% |
| Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 1.78% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 1.62% |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 1.36% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 1.26% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 1.22% |
| Headlamp aim: too low | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 1.16% |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 1.12% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 18.10% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 9.36% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 9.16% |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 5.88% |
| Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 5.71% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 32,139 | 87.2% | -12% |
| 5-6 | 46,245 | 83.7% | -17% |
| 7-8 | 39,865 | 80.0% | -22% |
| 9-10 | 42,454 | 76.5% | -28% |
| 11-12 | 39,607 | 73.1% | -30% |
| 13-15 | 41,440 | 70.2% | -31% |
| 16+ | 4,065 | 70.5% | -35% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,886 | 87.5% | 0.93× |
| 2020 | 10,318 | 87.0% | 0.94× |
| 2019 | 20,082 | 86.9% | 0.87× |
| 2018 | 23,151 | 85.5% | 0.81× |
| 2017 | 28,354 | 83.0% | 0.81× |
| 2016 | 16,789 | 80.3% | 0.82× |
| 2015 | 20,838 | 79.5% | 0.75× |
| 2014 | 21,693 | 77.6% | 0.72× |
| 2013 | 21,707 | 75.4% | 0.72× |
| 2012 | 19,106 | 74.5% | 0.69× |
| 2011 | 20,025 | 72.2% | 0.70× |
| 2010 | 21,238 | 70.3% | 0.70× |
| 2009 | 12,405 | 70.2% | 0.68× |
| 2008 | 8,825 | 69.3% | 0.69× |
| 2007 | 3,066 | 71.4% | 0.64× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
Check a specific Audi A5
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UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.