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Audi A5 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 979,869 MOT tests of cars first registered 2007–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
79.1%pass first time
+7.9 ptsvs typical car
Beats 88%of cars
979,869MOT tests

Verdict

The Audi A5 passes its MOT first time on 79.1% of tests, 7.9 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (71.2%). That puts it ahead of 88% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2009 A5 does best (beats 94% of cars) and the 2019 worst (beats 66%).

Of its engines, the 4.2 Petrol does best (beats 99%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 82%).

Better than average on suspension, lights & electrics, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Shock absorbers1.5×as often as a typical car
Number plates1.6×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%345678910111213141516171888%86%81%78%74%72%70%69%
Audi A5Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2007
Beats 97%
2008
Beats 93%
2009
Beats 94%
2010
Beats 93%
2011
Beats 92%
2012
Beats 93%
2013
Beats 90%
2014
Beats 88%
2015
Beats 83%
2016
Beats 79%
2017
Beats 80%
2018
Beats 75%
2019
Beats 66%
2020
Beats 63%
2021
Beats 62%
2022
Beats 75%
2023
Beats 61%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2009–2022458,53977.8%Beats 82%A
2.0 Petrol2008–2023205,27081.9%Beats 89%A
3.0 Diesel2007–2018105,24977.1%Beats 96%A
3.0 Petrol2010–201866,90986.3%Beats 95%A
1.8 Petrol2008–201657,66578.1%Beats 88%A
2.7 Diesel2007–201230,75871.8%Beats 93%A
4.2 Petrol2007–201524,62081.2%Beats 99%A
1.7 Diesel2010–201213,05572.9%Beats 88%A
1.4 Petrol2018–20187,82683.0%Beats 52%C
2.9 Petrol2017–20197,17087.6%Beats 79%B
3.2 Petrol2008–20092,80874.2%Beats 96%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 5.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 4.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 8.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 4.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+6.5 ptsTyres: 8.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.5 ptsBrakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.4 ptsSuspension: 5.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.4 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.0 ptsSuspension: 5.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 8.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 4.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 4.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+6.5 ptsTyres: 8.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres−1.5 ptsBrakes: 3.0% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+3.4 ptsSuspension: 5.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.4 ptsExhaust: 1.7% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+1.0 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Tyres: 8.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
8.5% vs 7.0%
Suspension
5.2% vs 8.6%
Lights & electrics
4.9% vs 11.4%
Brakes
3.0% vs 6.4%
Visibility
2.6% vs 4.6%
Emissions & leaks
1.7% vs 2.7%
Body & structure
1.7% vs 2.8%
Wheels
0.5% vs 0.4%
Seat belts & airbags
0.5% vs 0.8%
Steering
0.2% vs 1.7%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Shock absorbers 1.5× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Coil springs
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k95%89%85%80%76%72%71%69%
Audi A5Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking5.2%3.7%1.4×
Tyre tread depth3.3%2.9%1.1×
Headlight aim2.3%3.1%0.7×
Brake pads1.8%2.3%0.8×
Coil springs1.7%2.5%0.7×
Shock absorbers1.6%1.1%1.5×
Windscreen washers1.3%2.1%0.6×
Windscreen wipers1.1%2.1%0.5×
Headlight bulbs & units1.0%2.1%0.5×
Engine warning light1.0%1.0%1.0×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements33.4
A tyre seriously damaged29.4
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements22.8
A tyre cords visible or damaged22.7
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened17.4
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm15.8
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage15.5
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn15.2
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Audi A51 engine88.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol1,64388.5%Beats 61%B
2022 Audi A52 engines89.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol5,05489.9%Beats 72%B
2.0 Diesel2,59288.6%Beats 79%B
2021 Audi A52 engines87.7% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol8,27789.0%Beats 70%B
2.0 Diesel6,33686.0%Beats 53%C
2020 Audi A52 engines86.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol9,40887.3%Beats 62%B
2.0 Diesel8,58586.3%Beats 63%B
2019 Audi A53 engines86.0% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol33,77986.1%Beats 64%B
2.0 Diesel11,77485.0%Beats 68%B
2.9 Petrol2,06888.2%Beats 74%B
2018 Audi A56 engines85.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol26,63185.9%Beats 72%B
2.0 Diesel15,94883.6%Beats 71%B
3.0 Petrol13,62388.3%Beats 90%A
1.4 Petrol7,82683.0%Beats 52%C
2.9 Petrol3,03288.1%Beats 85%A
3.0 Diesel1,46786.7%Beats 91%A
2017 Audi A55 engines84.6% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel48,29083.3%Beats 76%B
3.0 Petrol23,22286.8%Beats 89%A
2.0 Petrol19,67685.3%Beats 76%B
3.0 Diesel3,30185.1%Beats 87%A
2.9 Petrol2,07086.1%Beats 73%B
2016 Audi A55 engines82.5% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel48,23481.4%Beats 74%B
1.8 Petrol6,22083.7%Beats 77%B
3.0 Petrol6,07687.3%Beats 95%A
2.0 Petrol3,56586.3%Beats 91%A
3.0 Diesel2,65285.3%Beats 93%A
2015 Audi A56 engines81.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel61,37980.2%Beats 79%B
1.8 Petrol8,48682.5%Beats 79%B
3.0 Diesel8,19482.9%Beats 91%A
3.0 Petrol7,98486.4%Beats 96%A
2.0 Petrol5,70185.8%Beats 94%A
4.2 Petrol2,03887.3%Beats 96%A
2014 Audi A56 engines80.1% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel63,67278.1%Beats 83%A
3.0 Diesel10,03783.6%Beats 98%A
1.8 Petrol8,09182.4%Beats 91%A
2.0 Petrol6,77683.8%Beats 95%A
3.0 Petrol5,24385.8%Beats 98%A
4.2 Petrol2,29286.1%Beats 97%A
2013 Audi A56 engines78.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel64,21576.0%Beats 85%A
3.0 Diesel9,24782.0%Beats 98%A
1.8 Petrol9,15980.1%Beats 93%A
2.0 Petrol7,37982.2%Beats 96%A
3.0 Petrol4,52384.8%Beats 99%A
4.2 Petrol1,76384.3%Beats 97%A
2012 Audi A58 engines76.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel43,59174.1%Beats 87%A
3.0 Diesel12,26579.0%Beats 97%A
2.0 Petrol8,93180.6%Beats 97%A
1.8 Petrol8,40178.1%Beats 94%A
1.7 Diesel3,75175.7%Beats 90%A
3.0 Petrol3,10382.9%Beats 99%A
2.7 Diesel2,09278.3%Beats 96%A
4.2 Petrol1,65381.7%Beats 97%A
2011 Audi A58 engines74.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel34,58271.3%Beats 86%A
2.0 Petrol18,98076.5%Beats 95%A
3.0 Diesel10,17876.0%Beats 96%A
4.2 Petrol5,85482.2%Beats 99%A
2.7 Diesel5,57274.3%Beats 92%A
1.8 Petrol5,35674.9%Beats 89%A
1.7 Diesel4,77073.5%Beats 89%A
3.0 Petrol1,44080.0%Beats 98%A
2010 Audi A58 engines72.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel33,81169.2%Beats 86%A
2.0 Petrol26,34274.5%Beats 95%A
3.0 Diesel12,27874.3%Beats 96%A
2.7 Diesel6,49272.8%Beats 94%A
1.7 Diesel4,53470.0%Beats 86%A
1.8 Petrol3,89373.5%Beats 92%A
4.2 Petrol3,46181.2%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol1,69578.3%Beats 98%A
2009 Audi A57 engines71.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol20,59273.1%Beats 95%A
2.0 Diesel15,53068.0%Beats 87%A
3.0 Diesel9,95273.0%Beats 96%A
2.7 Diesel5,81571.6%Beats 94%A
1.8 Petrol1,21869.9%Beats 89%A
4.2 Petrol1,13679.9%Beats 99%A
3.2 Petrol1,05477.0%Beats 98%A
2008 Audi A56 engines69.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel15,85270.2%Beats 94%A
2.7 Diesel9,34268.5%Beats 91%A
1.8 Petrol6,84166.7%Beats 85%A
4.2 Petrol3,97575.6%Beats 98%A
2.0 Petrol2,53668.7%Beats 90%A
3.2 Petrol1,75472.5%Beats 95%A
2007 Audi A53 engines72.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.0 Diesel9,82672.4%Beats 97%A
4.2 Petrol2,44876.1%Beats 99%A
2.7 Diesel1,44570.2%Beats 94%A

FAQ

What is the Audi A5 MOT pass rate?

79.1% of MOT tests on the Audi A5 were passed first time, based on 979,869 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2007–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 71.2% of the time.

Is the Audi A5 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 88% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Audi A5 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2009 A5 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 94% of cars on UK roads. The 2019 does worst: it beats 66%.

Which Audi A5 engine is best?

Across all years, the 4.2 Petrol does best: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 82%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Audi A5?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre tread depth, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, shock absorbers comes up 1.5× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.