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Audi A5 years to avoid? MOT pass rate by year

126,156 initial MOT tests in 2025 on cars first used 2007–2022 · DVSA data · For guidance only · How we count

No Audi A5 year has an MOT pass rate clearly below the average for vehicles first used in the same year. Above it: 2007–2017. The other 5 years can't be told apart from average.

The MOT pass rate is one signal, not the whole story. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't record gearbox or engine faults, and a pass rate also reflects mileage and upkeep, so the table shows median mileage too. Whatever the year, the car in front of you matters more than its model's average.

77.4%passed first time

First-time pass rate, all years together: initial tests passed with no repairs. 95% range 77.2% to 77.7%.

In 2025, 77.4% of the 126,156 initial MOT tests on Audi A5 cars were passed with no repairs. The same-age average, for all vehicles first used in the same years, was 72.1%. That is 5.4 points above the same-age average.

In our tables of the highest MOT pass rates by age: joint 9th of 116 cars first used in 2010.

Check a specific A5

Its own MOT history, free.

Audi A5 MOT pass rate by year

Year is when the car was first used. Older vehicles fail more often, so each year is compared with all vehicles first used that year.

YearChartTestsmedian milesPassed first timeAgainst all vehicles that year
2022age 34,42027,40089.0%±1.0+0.5 ptsall: 88.5%
2021age 45,29334,50087.8%±1.0+0.6 ptsall: 87.2%
2020age 54,81141,50086.9%±1.0+0.9 ptsall: 86.0%
2019age 69,85147,90084.0%±0.8+0.5 ptsall: 83.5%
2018age 711,39157,10081.4%±0.8+0.5 ptsall: 80.9%
2017age 813,77668,10079.9%±0.7+1.7 ptsall: 78.2%
2016age 98,26177,10078.7%±0.9+3.8 ptsall: 74.9%
2015age 1010,18986,20077.9%±0.9+6.0 ptsall: 71.9%
2014age 1110,45095,50076.3%±0.9+7.7 ptsall: 68.6%
2013age 1210,348103,10073.7%±0.9+7.9 ptsall: 65.8%
2012age 138,898109,40073.5%±1.0+10.0 ptsall: 63.5%
2011age 149,180114,30070.0%±1.0+8.8 ptsall: 61.2%
2010age 159,370121,80069.3%±1.0+10.0 ptsall: 59.3%
2009age 165,305126,70069.8%±1.3+11.5 ptsall: 58.3%
2008age 173,456133,20068.2%±1.6+11.0 ptsall: 57.2%
2007age 181,157140,90070.9%±2.7+13.5 ptsall: 57.4%

Tests are initial MOT tests in 2025, not retests. Median miles is the middle odometer reading at the test: half had more, half had less. ± is the 95% margin of error in points (Wilson interval): a difference smaller than that could be chance. Years without a link have fewer than 10,000 tests, so they are listed here but don't have their own page.

When a car's mileage doesn't add up

Common A5 problems at the MOT

Share of the 28,467 failed tests with a fault in each area, all years together. A test can count in more than one area, so these add up to more than 100%.

MOT records show roadworthiness faults, not engine or gearbox problems. Each year page compares that year's failure areas with all vehicles first used in the same year.

What to check when viewing a A5

Based on the areas where Audi A5 MOT tests fail most often. These are general checks anyone can do, not a mechanical inspection.

  1. Tyres

    In 37.1% of failed A5 tests

    • Check the tread on every tyre. The legal minimum for cars is 1.6 mm across the central three-quarters of the tread.
    • Look for cuts, bulges, and wear on only the inner or outer edge, which can point to an alignment problem.
    • Check that the spare wheel or the tyre repair kit is there.

  2. Suspension

    In 32.8% of failed A5 tests

    • Push down hard on each corner. The car should rise once and settle, not keep bouncing.
    • On the test drive, listen for knocks or clunks over speed bumps and potholes.
    • The car should sit level when parked on flat ground.

  3. Lights and electrics

    In 22.1% of failed A5 tests

    • Ask the seller to help you check every light: dipped and main beam, brake lights, indicators, fog lights and the number plate lamp.
    • Look for cracked, misted or yellowed headlight lenses.
    • Warning lights on the dashboard should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts.

  4. Brakes

    In 13.1% of failed A5 tests

    • On a clear road, brake firmly. The car should stop in a straight line without juddering or pulling to one side.
    • Check the handbrake holds the car on a slope.
    • Look through the wheels at the brake discs for deep grooves or a raised lip at the edge.

Then read the car's own MOT history. Advisories in the same area at several tests are worth asking about.

Check a A5's MOT history

After an MOT advisory

Audi A5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT first time with an advisory, and what their next MOT found, against similar cars that passed with nothing noted in that area. All first-use years together.

Tyres

Of Audi A5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a tyre advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.1% failed on tyres, against 7.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 16,508 and 53,396 cars.

  • With a tyre advisory11.1%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted7.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.4% of those with a tyre advisory and 13.6% of the others.

Brakes

Of Audi A5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a brake advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 5.6% failed on brakes, against 2.3% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 9,651 and 60,200 cars.

  • With a brake advisory5.6%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted2.3%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 14.5% of those with a brake advisory and 13.7% of the others.

Suspension

Of Audi A5 cars that passed their 2024 MOT with a suspension advisory and came back for their next MOT 10–14 months later, 11.5% failed on suspension, against 7.1% of similar cars with nothing noted. Based on 11,023 and 58,677 cars.

  • With a suspension advisory11.5%
  • Similar cars, nothing noted7.1%

Cars not tested again in that window are not included: 15.4% of those with a suspension advisory and 13.5% of the others.

Similar cars are the same model, first-use year and mileage band. Areas are the DVSA's top-level groups, so the later fail may not be the fault that was advised. These figures describe what happened to these cars. They don't show what a repair would have changed.

How we worked this out

Audi A5 questions

Which Audi A5 years have lower MOT pass rates?

Compared with all vehicles first used in the same year, no model year is clearly below average. Above average: 2007–2017. The rest can't be told apart from average. A pass rate is one signal: it also reflects mileage and upkeep, and doesn't record engine or gearbox faults.

Is the Audi A5 reliable?

MOT results show only part of the picture. In 2025, 77.4% of initial MOT tests on Audi A5 cars were passed with no repairs, against a same-age average of 72.1%. That is 5.4 points above average. An MOT checks safety and emissions on the day of the test. It doesn't measure breakdowns, engine or gearbox faults, or repair costs.

What are the most common Audi A5 problems at the MOT?

The most common failure areas are tyres (in 37.1% of failed tests), suspension (in 32.8% of failed tests) and lights and electrics (in 22.1% of failed tests). A failed test can count in more than one area.

What mileage is normal for a 10-year-old Audi A5?

At their 2025 MOT tests, Audi A5 cars first used in 2015, about 10 years old, had a median of 86,200 miles. Half had more and half had less.

How do I check a specific A5's MOT history?

Enter its registration in our free check. It lists that car's own MOT results, the faults and advisories recorded and the mileage at each test, and flags repeated advisories and mileage that goes down.

Check a car's MOT history for free

What MOT data can't tell you about any Audi A5

Outstanding finance, write-offs, theft and plate changes aren't in MOT records. For a particular car, you need a history check.

Compare history checksWhat MOT history doesn't show

Other Audi models

Points above (+) or below (−) the same-age average for all vehicles.

All 13 Audi modelsCars ranked by MOT pass rate, by age

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests, 2025. For guidance only: these figures describe all Audi A5 cars tested, not the one you're looking at. How we count