Audi Q5 reliability: what 324k MOT tests show
Across 324,276 MOT tests on Audi Q5 cars first used between 2009 and 2022, 83.8% passed first time. The figure for all cars is 71.7%. Allowing for age, the Q5 beats a typical car tested at the same age by 7.2 points. That is the fairer test, and it puts the model well above average. At its first MOT, at three years old, 91.9% of Q5s pass; the national figure for three-year-old cars is 87.9%. The most common reason for a fail is tyre tread below the legal minimum.
Why Audi Q5s fail the MOT
Of every hundred Q5s that fail, about 11 are marked down for tyre tread below the legal minimum and 10 for a split CV boot. Percentages can add to more than 100 because one failed test often records several defects.
A tyre fail usually means a tyre that was already an advisory last year. Worth looking at the previous certificate before booking.
Advisories to expect on a Q5
An advisory is the tester telling you what fails next year. On the Q5 the usual suspects are tyre tread below the legal minimum (15.3% of tests) and brake pads worn below 1.5mm (10%). The advisory conversion table shows which of these are worth acting on first.
Petrol, diesel or hybrid Q5?
Among Audi Q5 cars, hybrid versions pass 91.5% of the time and diesel versions 82.5%, a gap of 9 points. Diesels tend to be bought for high mileage, which shows up at the test as wear. Hybrid versions are newer cars on average, so some of that gap is age rather than engineering.
| Fuel | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 82.5% | 245,361 |
| Petrol | 87.2% | 67,347 |
| Hybrid | 91.5% | 11,563 |
Every Q5 year, 2009 to 2022
Between 2009 (67.4%) and 2022 (92.9%) the pass rate moves mostly with age. Among years with a decent sample, 2022 is the strongest at 92.9% and 2009 the weakest at 67.4%.
| First used | Pass rate | Tests | Miles a year | First MOT pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Q5 2022 | 92.9% | 9,872 | 9,930 | 92.7% |
| Audi Q5 2021 | 91.1% | 22,933 | 9,790 | 91.4% |
| Audi Q5 2020 | 91.4% | 26,749 | 9,460 | 91.7% |
| Audi Q5 2019 | 90.2% | 36,022 | 8,995 | – |
| Audi Q5 2018 | 87.8% | 38,936 | 8,852 | – |
| Audi Q5 2017 | 82.5% | 29,848 | 8,906 | – |
| Audi Q5 2016 | 84.2% | 33,389 | 9,143 | – |
| Audi Q5 2015 | 82.5% | 31,183 | 9,096 | – |
| Audi Q5 2014 | 81.1% | 25,622 | 9,035 | – |
| Audi Q5 2013 | 79.3% | 18,191 | 9,125 | – |
| Audi Q5 2012 | 75.7% | 13,542 | 8,856 | – |
| Audi Q5 2011 | 72.2% | 16,098 | 8,821 | – |
| Audi Q5 2010 | 69.8% | 10,751 | 8,760 | – |
| Audi Q5 2009 | 67.4% | 11,140 | 8,658 | – |
Mileage matters more than the badge
On the 2018 cars, a Q5 under 40,000 miles passes 89.7% of the time; one over 100,000 passes 83.3%. When comparing two used Q5s, the odometer tells you more than the year.
| Mileage at test (2018 cars) | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.7% | 11,233 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 88.3% | 15,268 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 86.1% | 8,416 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 83.9% | 2,857 |
| Over 100,000 | 83.3% | 1,161 |
How the Q5 compares
Set against the rest of the Audi range, which averages 78.1%, the Q5 at 83.8% is above par. Within the family, see Audi A3 MOT pass rate (75.2%), the A4 (72.8%), Audi A1 reliability (77.2%) and Audi Q3 MOT pass rate (83.3%), or the Audi range at the MOT. Buyers weighing a Q5 against other cars of similar popularity often compare it with the BMW X3 (80.1%) and BMW X1 (82.6%). The reliability index for all makes and models 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 Q5 2022 92.9% pass 9,872 tests92.7% at first MOT
On a 2022 Audi Q5, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 20.6% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 18.9%.
2022 cars pass 93.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 90% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 93.1% | 8,241 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 91.8% | 1,336 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 89% | 245 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 95% | 40 |
| Over 100,000 | 90% | 10 |
By fuel: petrol 92.9% (4,507 tests), diesel 92.6% (4,248 tests), hybrid 93.6% (1,117 tests).
Audi Q5 2021 91.1% pass 22,933 tests91.4% at first MOT
On a 2021 Audi Q5, tyre tread below the legal minimum appears on 21.6% of failed tests, with a tyre worn or cut to the cords next at 20%.
2021 cars pass 91.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 79.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.9% | 16,535 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 89.3% | 5,126 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 87.8% | 986 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 88.5% | 243 |
| Over 100,000 | 79.1% | 43 |
By fuel: diesel 90.1% (11,927 tests), petrol 92.4% (6,425 tests), hybrid 91.9% (4,581 tests).
Audi Q5 2020 91.4% pass 26,749 tests91.7% at first MOT
On a 2020 Audi Q5, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 21% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 14.8%.
2020 cars pass 92.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 91.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 92.6% | 16,666 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 89.6% | 7,458 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 88.7% | 2,002 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 87.3% | 463 |
| Over 100,000 | 91.8% | 159 |
By fuel: diesel 91.2% (13,577 tests), petrol 92% (8,431 tests), hybrid 90.6% (4,741 tests).
Audi Q5 2019 90.2% pass 36,022 tests
On a 2019 Audi Q5, a tyre worn or cut to the cords appears on 15.9% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 15%.
2019 cars pass 91.9% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 88.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.9% | 16,044 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 89.4% | 13,267 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 87.7% | 5,029 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 88.1% | 1,293 |
| Over 100,000 | 88.4% | 389 |
By fuel: diesel 89.9% (27,248 tests), petrol 91.2% (7,650 tests), hybrid 91.2% (1,124 tests).
Audi Q5 2018 87.8% pass 38,936 tests
On a 2018 Audi Q5, a broken coil spring appears on 17.2% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 14.6%.
2018 cars pass 89.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 83.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 89.7% | 11,233 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 88.3% | 15,268 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 86.1% | 8,416 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 83.9% | 2,857 |
| Over 100,000 | 83.3% | 1,161 |
By fuel: diesel 87.1% (20,641 tests), petrol 88.6% (18,295 tests).
Audi Q5 2017 82.5% pass 29,848 tests
On a 2017 Audi Q5, a broken coil spring appears on 36.4% of failed tests, with tyre tread below the legal minimum next at 11.9%.
2017 cars pass 84.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80.3% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.4% | 4,711 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 83.3% | 10,487 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 81.6% | 8,804 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80.9% | 3,966 |
| Over 100,000 | 80.3% | 1,879 |
By fuel: diesel 81.8% (21,026 tests), petrol 84% (8,822 tests).
Audi Q5 2016 84.2% pass 33,389 tests
On a 2016 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 16.4% of failed tests, with a dashboard warning light next at 12.1%.
2016 cars pass 91.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.5% | 2,480 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 87.4% | 8,264 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 83.6% | 11,039 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 81.5% | 7,164 |
| Over 100,000 | 80.1% | 4,442 |
By fuel: diesel 84.4% (31,293 tests), petrol 80.5% (2,096 tests).
Audi Q5 2015 82.5% pass 31,183 tests
On a 2015 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 18.8% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 12%.
2015 cars pass 87.8% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 80.4% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 87.8% | 1,459 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.6% | 5,167 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 82.9% | 9,454 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80.9% | 8,092 |
| Over 100,000 | 80.4% | 7,011 |
By fuel: diesel 82.8% (29,031 tests), petrol 77.8% (2,152 tests).
Audi Q5 2014 81.1% pass 25,622 tests
On a 2014 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 18.8% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 11.7%.
2014 cars pass 90.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 78.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 90.6% | 725 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.1% | 2,915 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 82.4% | 6,251 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80.7% | 7,197 |
| Over 100,000 | 78.8% | 8,533 |
By fuel: diesel 81.4% (23,712 tests), petrol 77.4% (1,910 tests).
Audi Q5 2013 79.3% pass 18,191 tests
On a 2013 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 16.1% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 11.9%.
2013 cars pass 91.1% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 76.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 91.1% | 315 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.9% | 1,242 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 81% | 3,219 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 80% | 4,812 |
| Over 100,000 | 76.8% | 8,603 |
By fuel: diesel 79.3% (16,699 tests), petrol 78.7% (1,489 tests).
Audi Q5 2012 75.7% pass 13,542 tests
On a 2012 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 24.7% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 11.8%.
2012 cars pass 86.4% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 73.6% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 86.4% | 191 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.1% | 727 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 80% | 1,813 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 75.6% | 3,312 |
| Over 100,000 | 73.6% | 7,491 |
By fuel: diesel 75.2% (12,169 tests), petrol 80.7% (1,371 tests).
Audi Q5 2011 72.2% pass 16,098 tests
On a 2011 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 30.9% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 14.7%.
2011 cars pass 84.7% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 70.1% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 84.7% | 189 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 85.2% | 581 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 78.5% | 1,629 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 73.1% | 3,095 |
| Over 100,000 | 70.1% | 10,592 |
By fuel: diesel 71.8% (14,394 tests), petrol 76.2% (1,704 tests).
Audi Q5 2010 69.8% pass 10,751 tests
On a 2010 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 31.4% of failed tests, with a worn suspension bush next at 17.2%.
2010 cars pass 72.5% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 67.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 72.5% | 109 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 84.9% | 278 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 79% | 763 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 72.2% | 1,733 |
| Over 100,000 | 67.8% | 7,852 |
By fuel: diesel 69.1% (9,598 tests), petrol 76% (1,153 tests).
Audi Q5 2009 67.4% pass 11,140 tests
On a 2009 Audi Q5, a split CV boot appears on 27.7% of failed tests, with a broken coil spring next at 18%.
2009 cars pass 83.6% of the time at under 40,000 miles, falling to 65.8% over 100,000.
| Mileage at test | Pass rate | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Under 40,000 | 83.6% | 55 |
| 40,000 to 60,000 | 77.3% | 185 |
| 60,000 to 80,000 | 76.2% | 568 |
| 80,000 to 100,000 | 71.6% | 1,391 |
| Over 100,000 | 65.8% | 8,938 |
By fuel: diesel 66.5% (9,798 tests), petrol 73.8% (1,342 tests).
Questions people ask
Is the Audi Q5 reliable?
On MOT evidence the Audi Q5 is well above average. It passes 83.8% of tests against 71.7% for all cars, and beats cars of the same age by 7.2 points. 91.9% pass their first MOT at three years old. Figures from 324,276 DVSA tests.
What are the most common Audi Q5 MOT failures?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum (11.3% of failed tests), a split CV boot (10.4%) and a dashboard warning light (9%). A tyre fail usually means a tyre that was already an advisory last year. Worth looking at the previous certificate before booking.
Which Audi Q5 year is the most reliable?
Among years with a large sample, 2022 cars have the highest pass rate at 92.9% and 2009 cars the lowest at 67.4%. 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 Q5 usually get?
Tyre tread below the legal minimum is the most frequent, noted on 15.3% of all Q5 tests, then brake pads worn below 1.5mm (10%). An advisory passes the car today but marks the item most likely to fail next year.
How many miles a year does a Audi Q5 do?
About 9,094 miles a year on average, calculated from the odometer readings recorded at consecutive MOTs. That is above the UK average of roughly 7,400, which is typical of a car bought for commuting or work.
How do I check a particular Audi Q5?
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.
Checking a Q5 before you buy?
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 9,094 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.