Audi A5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi A5 car check
Is the Audi A5 reliable? We analysed 1,497,195 real MOT tests across 148,987 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi A5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi A5 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed and shock absorber has a serious fluid leak. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi A5.
Audi A5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi A5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi A5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi A5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi A5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Audi A5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Audi A5 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Audi A5 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Audi A5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi A5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi A5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi A5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 100 | 93.0% | 16,633 | 25,258 | 34,839 |
| 2021 | 692 | 88.6% | 20,443 | 29,569 | 42,771 |
| 2020 | 9,096 | 88.6% | 23,250 | 33,293 | 45,648 |
| 2019 | 51,462 | 88.0% | 24,946 | 36,263 | 51,000 |
| 2018 | 74,109 | 87.6% | 28,322 | 41,510 | 58,578 |
| 2017 | 113,848 | 87.4% | 33,213 | 48,661 | 67,968 |
| 2016 | 76,450 | 85.4% | 36,996 | 54,601 | 76,433 |
| 2015 | 109,179 | 84.6% | 40,374 | 60,540 | 84,915 |
| 2014 | 128,059 | 84.0% | 44,052 | 66,012 | 92,372 |
| 2013 | 145,144 | 83.1% | 47,134 | 70,884 | 98,876 |
| 2012 | 144,432 | 82.5% | 49,595 | 74,828 | 103,960 |
| 2011 | 165,180 | 81.5% | 51,390 | 78,030 | 108,622 |
| 2010 | 194,559 | 80.9% | 54,842 | 82,794 | 113,976 |
| 2009 | 130,335 | 80.6% | 56,741 | 85,569 | 117,419 |
| 2008 | 107,432 | 79.9% | 61,068 | 90,826 | 122,968 |
| 2007 | 38,369 | 81.8% | 63,658 | 94,951 | 128,434 |
How Long Does a Audi A5 Last?
Based on 148,987 Audi A5 vehicles on UK roads.
Audi A5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi A5 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Audi A5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
93.0% MOT pass rate from 100 tests
79.9% MOT pass rate from 107,432 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi A5 is 2022, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 93.0% across 100 tests. The 2008 model year has the lowest pass rate at 79.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi A5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A5 THIS CAR | 83.2% | 1,497,195 | 68,290 mi | 19 yrs |
| Audi A3 | 78% | 7,415,025 | 78,776 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi A4 | 76.1% | 7,096,957 | 96,834 mi | 31 yrs |
| Audi A6 | 78.4% | 2,724,792 | 98,890 mi | 31 yrs |
| Mini Cooper | 86.5% | 1,705,479 | 35,896 mi | 22 yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi A5 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi A5 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Audi A5Should you buy a used Audi A5?
The Audi A5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 83.2% across 1,497,195 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Audi A5 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (17,175 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (7,432), and shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (7,396). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Audi A5 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Audi A5 owner drives around 7,148 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Audi A5 models stay on UK roads for around 19 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.