Audi A5 reliability: what 371k MOT tests show
Across 371,481 MOT tests on Audi A5 cars first used between 2007 and 2022, 78% passed first time. The figure for all cars is 71.7%. Allowing for age, the A5 beats a typical car tested at the same age by 5.4 points. That is the fairer test, and it puts the model above average. At its first MOT, at three years old, 88% of A5s pass; the national figure for three-year-old cars is 87.9%. When a A5 does fail, tyre tread below the legal minimum is the item recorded most often.
Why Audi A5s fail the MOT
Of every hundred A5s that fail, about 16 are marked down for tyre tread below the legal minimum and 11 for a broken coil spring. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
Tyres are an easy failure to avoid. Check the tread and look for cuts and bulges the week before the test, not on the forecourt.
Warning signs on the certificate
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the A5 the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (18% of tests) and a worn suspension bush (10.2%). How often each category of advisory turns into a failure is measured across the whole dataset.
A5 pass rate by fuel
Among Audi A5 cars, petrol versions pass 81.8% of the time and diesel versions 75.4%, a gap of 6.4 points. Diesels tend to be bought for high mileage, which shows up at the test as wear.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 75.4% | 216,421 |
| Petrol | 81.8% | 154,940 |
Audi A5 pass rate by year
Pass rates run from 71% for 2007 cars to 89.2% for 2022 cars. Most of that spread is age: a car tested at ten years old has had far more chances to wear something out than one tested at four.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A5 2022 | 89.2% | 4,597 | 9,981 | 89% |
| Audi A5 2021 | 87.8% | 10,648 | 9,405 | 87.6% |
| Audi A5 2020 | 87% | 14,473 | 8,831 | 87.6% |
| Audi A5 2019 | 86% | 29,377 | 8,498 | – |
| Audi A5 2018 | 84.1% | 33,801 | 8,720 | – |
| Audi A5 2017 | 82% | 41,435 | 9,048 | – |
| Audi A5 2016 | 79.8% | 24,715 | 9,156 | – |
| Audi A5 2015 | 78.9% | 30,676 | 9,188 | – |
| Audi A5 2014 | 77.1% | 31,639 | 9,237 | – |
| Audi A5 2013 | 74.7% | 31,533 | 9,106 | – |
| Audi A5 2012 | 74.1% | 27,450 | 8,897 | – |
| Audi A5 2011 | 71.4% | 28,472 | 8,626 | – |
| Audi A5 2010 | 69.8% | 29,796 | 8,562 | – |
| Audi A5 2009 | 69.9% | 17,271 | 8,332 | – |
| Audi A5 2008 | 68.6% | 11,640 | 8,295 | – |
| Audi A5 2007 | 71% | 3,958 | 8,228 | – |
Pass rate by mileage
On the 2017 cars, a A5 under 40,000 miles passes 87.8% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 76.5%. When comparing two used A5s, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2017 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.8% | 7,138 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.9% | 13,790 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 80.8% | 11,510 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 78.5% | 5,676 |
| Over 100,000 | 76.5% | 3,321 |
Audi stablemates and rivals
Set against the rest of the Audi range, which averages 78.1%, the A5 at 78% is about par. Within the family, see Audi A3 MOT pass rate (75.2%), A4 common problems (72.8%), how the A1 does (77.2%) and the Q3 (83.3%), or the Audi range at the MOT. Buyers weighing a A5 against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the Volkswagen up! (80.3%) and Peugeot 2008 (74.4%). The ranking of every make puts them side by side, and the statistics for all 98 million tests give the baseline.
Year by year
Each year opens to show its own failure list and pass rate by mileage.
Audi A5 2022 89.2% pass 4,597 tests89% at first MOT
On a 2022 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 23.3% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 18.5%.
2022 cars pass 90% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90% | 3,743 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.6% | 675 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 85.2% | 155 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 89.5% | 19 |
| Over 100,000 | 80% | 5 |
By fuel: petrol 89.6% (3,005 tests), diesel 88.4% (1,572 tests).
Audi A5 2021 87.8% pass 10,648 tests87.6% at first MOT
On a 2021 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 18.6% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 18%.
2021 cars pass 88.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 84.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.6% | 7,900 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.7% | 2,172 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 84.2% | 442 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 81.1% | 95 |
| Over 100,000 | 84.6% | 39 |
By fuel: petrol 89% (6,026 tests), diesel 86% (4,558 tests).
Audi A5 2020 87% pass 14,473 tests87.6% at first MOT
On a 2020 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 25.6% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 17%.
2020 cars pass 88.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 81.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.4% | 9,772 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.1% | 3,541 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 82.3% | 880 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 77.3% | 216 |
| Over 100,000 | 81.3% | 64 |
By fuel: petrol 87.7% (7,695 tests), diesel 86.3% (6,756 tests).
Audi A5 2019 86% pass 29,377 tests
On a 2019 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 24.6% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 15.4%.
2019 cars pass 88.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.5% | 15,293 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.4% | 9,388 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 81.6% | 3,311 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 79.9% | 948 |
| Over 100,000 | 80.3% | 437 |
By fuel: petrol 86.4% (22,104 tests), diesel 85% (7,271 tests).
Audi A5 2018 84.1% pass 33,801 tests
On a 2018 Audi A5, a broken coil spring appears on 25.2% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 18.1%.
2018 cars pass 88.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 77.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.3% | 10,847 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84% | 12,580 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 80.6% | 6,778 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 79.2% | 2,380 |
| Over 100,000 | 77.9% | 1,215 |
By fuel: petrol 84.8% (25,320 tests), diesel 82.2% (8,481 tests).
Audi A5 2017 82% pass 41,435 tests
On a 2017 Audi A5, a broken coil spring appears on 30.5% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 15.1%.
2017 cars pass 87.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 76.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.8% | 7,138 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.9% | 13,790 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 80.8% | 11,510 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 78.5% | 5,676 |
| Over 100,000 | 76.5% | 3,321 |
By fuel: diesel 80.7% (21,847 tests), petrol 83.5% (19,588 tests).
Audi A5 2016 79.8% pass 24,715 tests
On a 2016 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 16.1% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 15%.
2016 cars pass 88.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 88.3% | 2,503 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.5% | 6,305 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 79.8% | 7,293 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76.7% | 4,712 |
| Over 100,000 | 73.6% | 3,901 |
By fuel: diesel 78.8% (18,747 tests), petrol 82.9% (5,968 tests).
Audi A5 2015 78.9% pass 30,676 tests
On a 2015 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 16.5% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 13.8%.
2015 cars pass 89.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.7% | 2,097 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.6% | 5,659 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 79.8% | 8,198 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76% | 6,825 |
| Over 100,000 | 73.6% | 7,896 |
By fuel: diesel 77.4% (22,598 tests), petrol 83.1% (8,075 tests).
Audi A5 2014 77.1% pass 31,639 tests
On a 2014 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 14.9% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 11.6%.
2014 cars pass 90% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90% | 1,309 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.9% | 4,064 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 79.6% | 7,227 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 75.1% | 7,501 |
| Over 100,000 | 73.1% | 11,538 |
By fuel: diesel 75.7% (24,202 tests), petrol 81.8% (7,437 tests).
Audi A5 2013 74.7% pass 31,533 tests
On a 2013 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 13.7% of failed tests, with a split CV boot next at 12.7%.
2013 cars pass 87.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 70.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.4% | 843 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.3% | 2,957 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.2% | 5,992 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 74.7% | 7,286 |
| Over 100,000 | 70.8% | 14,453 |
By fuel: diesel 73.3% (23,987 tests), petrol 79.1% (7,546 tests).
Audi A5 2012 74.1% pass 27,450 tests
On a 2012 Audi A5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 13.8% of failed tests, with a split CV boot next at 13.4%.
2012 cars pass 89.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 70.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.3% | 524 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 82.2% | 1,876 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.7% | 4,371 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76% | 5,847 |
| Over 100,000 | 70.4% | 14,825 |
By fuel: diesel 72.7% (20,011 tests), petrol 77.8% (7,436 tests).
Audi A5 2011 71.4% pass 28,472 tests
On a 2011 Audi A5, a worn suspension bush appears on 11.7% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 11.6%.
2011 cars pass 81.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 68.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 81.8% | 555 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.8% | 1,728 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 76.5% | 3,677 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73.2% | 5,772 |
| Over 100,000 | 68.3% | 16,711 |
By fuel: diesel 69.1% (17,880 tests), petrol 75.3% (10,591 tests).
Audi A5 2010 69.8% pass 29,796 tests
On a 2010 Audi A5, a broken coil spring appears on 18.1% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 11.8%.
2010 cars pass 83.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 67.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 83.1% | 379 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 81.7% | 1,135 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 77.1% | 2,931 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 71.6% | 5,293 |
| Over 100,000 | 67.4% | 20,023 |
By fuel: diesel 67.7% (18,148 tests), petrol 73.2% (11,645 tests).
Audi A5 2009 69.9% pass 17,271 tests
On a 2009 Audi A5, a broken coil spring appears on 19.7% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 11.6%.
2009 cars pass 90.3% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 67.9% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.3% | 176 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 80.3% | 542 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 75.5% | 1,478 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73% | 2,688 |
| Over 100,000 | 67.9% | 12,385 |
By fuel: diesel 68% (9,856 tests), petrol 72.5% (7,413 tests).
Audi A5 2008 68.6% pass 11,640 tests
On a 2008 Audi A5, a broken coil spring appears on 15.8% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 14.3%.
2008 cars pass 77.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 66.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 77.1% | 70 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 79.5% | 234 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.4% | 652 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 74.6% | 1,449 |
| Over 100,000 | 66.6% | 9,232 |
By fuel: diesel 68.2% (7,347 tests), petrol 69.4% (4,293 tests).
Audi A5 2007 71% pass 3,958 tests
On a 2007 Audi A5, a broken coil spring appears on 14.7% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 11.1%.
2007 cars pass 76.2% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 69.5% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 76.2% | 21 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 93.2% | 44 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 85.6% | 139 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 76.5% | 379 |
| Over 100,000 | 69.5% | 3,374 |
By fuel: diesel 69.2% (3,160 tests), petrol 78.2% (798 tests).
Questions people ask
Is the Audi A5 reliable?
On MOT evidence the Audi A5 is above average. It passes 78% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and beats cars of the same age by 5.4 points. 88% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 371,481 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Audi A5 MOT failures?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum (15.8% of failed tests), a broken coil spring (10.5%) and a tyre worn or cut to the cords (10.1%). Tyres are an easy failure to avoid. Check the tread and look for cuts and bulges the week before the test, not on the forecourt.
Which Audi A5 year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2021 cars have the highest pass rate at 87.8% and 2008 cars the lowest at 68.6%. Newer years pass more because they are younger, so compare a specific car's year against the table above rather than against the overall figure.
What advisories does a Audi A5 usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 18% of all A5 tests, then a worn suspension bush (10.2%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Audi A5 do?
About 8,880 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is close to the UK average of roughly 7,400.
How do I check a particular Audi A5?
The figures describe the whole fleet. For one car, enter its registration in the free MOT check to see its own test history, advisories and mileage, set against these averages for its year.
Looking at a specific Audi A5?
Enter the registration to see its own MOT history, advisories and mileage set against these figures, including whether it has done more or fewer than the 8,880 miles a year typical of the model.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 to 2025. Class 4 cars, normal tests only; a pass after rectification counts as an initial failure. Age-adjusted figures compare the model's pass rate at each age with the national rate at the same age. Methodology.