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Audi Q5 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 763,726 MOT tests of cars first registered 2009–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
84.3%pass first time
+9.0 ptsvs typical car
Beats 96%of cars
763,726MOT tests

Verdict

The Audi Q5 passes its MOT first time on 84.3% of tests, 9.0 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (75.3%). That puts it ahead of 96% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2013 Q5 does best (beats 98% of cars) and the 2017 worst (beats 73%).

Of its engines, the 3.0 Diesel does best (beats 99%) and the 2.0 Petrol worst (beats 93%).

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

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.5×as often as a typical car
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.8×as often as a typical car
Headlamp levelling device5.0×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%100%3456789101112131415161791%89%85%81%78%73%69%65%
Audi Q5Typical 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.

2009
Beats 92%
2010
Beats 95%
2011
Beats 96%
2012
Beats 97%
2013
Beats 98%
2014
Beats 97%
2015
Beats 97%
2016
Beats 97%
2017
Beats 73%
2018
Beats 94%
2019
Beats 97%
2020
Beats 97%
2021
Beats 93%
2022
Beats 97%
2023
Beats 97%

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 Diesel2009–2023503,63883.0%Beats 94%A
2.0 Petrol2009–2023116,52686.9%Beats 93%A
3.0 Diesel2009–2020108,35385.9%Beats 99%A
3.0 Petrol2017–201919,08889.6%Beats 97%A
2.0 Hybrid2019–202216,12190.4%Beats 95%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: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.1% 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: 3.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% 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: 3.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% 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: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.2% 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: 3.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% 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+5.1 ptsTyres: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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+2.2 ptsBrakes: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.2% 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+3.2 ptsSuspension: 3.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% 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+3.1 ptsExhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.1% 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+0.6 ptsSuspension: 3.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% 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: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.2% 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: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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: 3.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% 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: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.1% 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: 3.6% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 8.7% 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+5.1 ptsTyres: 4.4% of tests fail on tyres, against 6.6% 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+2.2 ptsBrakes: 2.1% of tests fail on brakes, against 5.2% 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+3.2 ptsSuspension: 3.3% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% 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+3.1 ptsExhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.1% 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+0.6 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 1.5% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 2.1% 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.

Every MOT area

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

Tyres
4.4% vs 6.6%
Lights & electrics
3.6% vs 8.7%
Suspension
3.3% vs 6.3%
Body & structure
3.0% vs 2.0%
Brakes
2.1% vs 5.2%
Visibility
1.8% vs 4.2%
Emissions & leaks
1.5% vs 2.1%
Steering
0.3% vs 1.3%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.6%
Wheels
0.2% vs 0.3%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • 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.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Engine warning light
    The engine warning light should come on with the ignition and go out once the engine starts. If it stays on, get the fault codes read before you buy.
  • 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%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k96%91%88%84%81%77%74%72%
Audi Q5Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking2.6%3.7%0.7×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.4%0.9%2.8×
Headlight aim1.9%2.6%0.7×
Tyre tread depth1.7%2.7%0.6×
Brake pads1.5%2.2%0.7×
Engine warning light1.4%1.2%1.2×
Coil springs1.3%1.9%0.7×
Suspension arm bushes1.0%0.8%1.2×
Windscreen washers0.9%1.8%0.5×
Windscreen wipers0.8%2.1%0.4×

Specific defects found

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

Defectper 1,000
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc24.8
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements18.8
A tyre seriously damaged18.1
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements16.6
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn14.9
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened13.6
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction13.6
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm12.2
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 Q52 engines92.2% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel2,54592.0%Beats 97%A
2.0 Petrol1,67092.5%Beats 96%A
2022 Audi Q53 engines92.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Petrol7,76092.8%Beats 97%A
2.0 Diesel7,08392.3%Beats 98%A
2.0 Hybrid1,89492.1%Beats 97%A
2021 Audi Q53 engines90.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel16,50989.9%Beats 89%A
2.0 Petrol9,23092.3%Beats 97%A
2.0 Hybrid6,36090.7%Beats 94%A
2020 Audi Q54 engines91.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel14,36790.9%Beats 97%A
2.0 Petrol10,91591.8%Beats 97%A
2.0 Hybrid6,13089.7%Beats 94%A
3.0 Diesel3,04791.8%Beats 99%A
2019 Audi Q54 engines90.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel44,01890.2%Beats 97%A
2.0 Petrol11,50090.6%Beats 96%A
2.0 Hybrid1,73789.6%Beats 95%A
3.0 Petrol1,00491.3%Beats 99%A
2018 Audi Q54 engines88.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel39,35787.5%Beats 92%A
2.0 Petrol24,43688.4%Beats 90%A
3.0 Petrol12,23890.7%Beats 98%A
3.0 Diesel2,12791.5%Beats 100%A
2017 Audi Q54 engines83.8% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel46,15082.6%Beats 67%B
2.0 Petrol14,17285.3%Beats 73%B
3.0 Petrol5,84687.2%Beats 90%A
3.0 Diesel2,96689.7%Beats 99%A
2016 Audi Q53 engines87.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel62,79886.5%Beats 96%A
3.0 Diesel20,70589.1%Beats 99%A
2.0 Petrol5,53284.9%Beats 82%A
2015 Audi Q53 engines85.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel61,76085.0%Beats 96%A
3.0 Diesel25,98688.2%Beats 99%A
2.0 Petrol6,28683.7%Beats 83%A
2014 Audi Q53 engines83.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel52,82782.8%Beats 96%A
3.0 Diesel18,82587.4%Beats 100%A
2.0 Petrol5,24580.4%Beats 81%A
2013 Audi Q53 engines81.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel38,20580.7%Beats 97%A
3.0 Diesel12,29086.5%Beats 100%A
2.0 Petrol4,14779.4%Beats 89%A
2012 Audi Q53 engines79.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel31,75178.8%Beats 97%A
3.0 Diesel5,19780.9%Beats 98%A
2.0 Petrol3,70082.4%Beats 99%A
2011 Audi Q53 engines76.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel38,37175.5%Beats 95%A
3.0 Diesel5,29378.9%Beats 98%A
2.0 Petrol4,64979.4%Beats 97%A
2010 Audi Q53 engines73.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel23,57372.3%Beats 93%A
3.0 Diesel5,79276.5%Beats 98%A
2.0 Petrol3,24878.0%Beats 98%A
2009 Audi Q53 engines70.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel24,32468.7%Beats 88%A
3.0 Diesel6,12572.5%Beats 95%A
2.0 Petrol4,03676.9%Beats 98%A

FAQ

What is the Audi Q5 MOT pass rate?

84.3% of MOT tests on the Audi Q5 were passed first time, based on 763,726 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2009–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 75.3% of the time.

Is the Audi Q5 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 96% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Audi Q5 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2013 Q5 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 98% of cars on UK roads. The 2017 does worst: it beats 73%.

Which Audi Q5 engine is best?

Across all years, the 3.0 Diesel does best: it beats 99% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Petrol does worst: it beats 93%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Audi Q5?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, drive shaft (CV) joints, headlight aim. Compared with similar cars, drive shaft (CV) joints comes up 2.8× 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.