Audi S5 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi S5 car check
Is the Audi S5 reliable? We analysed 26,583 real MOT tests across 2,076 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi S5? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi S5 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 tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi S5.
Audi S5 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi S5. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi S5 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi S5 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi S5 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Audi S5 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Audi S5 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Audi S5 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Audi S5 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi S5 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi S5 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi S5 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 99 | 94.9% | 20,698 | 34,794 | 55,362 |
| 2017 | 290 | 92.1% | 31,884 | 46,464 | 63,154 |
| 2016 | 67 | 88.1% | 36,960 | 50,679 | 60,553 |
| 2015 | 159 | 89.9% | 34,468 | 50,365 | 73,915 |
| 2014 | 1,173 | 88.1% | 35,747 | 53,546 | 71,932 |
| 2013 | 1,453 | 87.9% | 36,787 | 55,808 | 76,588 |
| 2012 | 2,171 | 86.7% | 37,958 | 57,745 | 77,246 |
| 2011 | 3,396 | 85.7% | 37,363 | 56,749 | 79,254 |
| 2010 | 4,953 | 83.8% | 44,567 | 66,951 | 90,663 |
| 2009 | 3,319 | 83.5% | 47,880 | 70,566 | 93,154 |
| 2008 | 6,480 | 82.3% | 47,824 | 72,579 | 98,305 |
| 2007 | 2,917 | 81.2% | 48,876 | 75,392 | 99,794 |
How Long Does a Audi S5 Last?
Based on 2,076 Audi S5 vehicles on UK roads.
Audi S5 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi S5 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 S5
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
94.9% MOT pass rate from 99 tests
81.2% MOT pass rate from 2,917 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi S5 is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 94.9% across 99 tests. The 2007 model year has the lowest pass rate at 81.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi S5 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S5 THIS CAR | 84.2% | 26,583 | 65,162 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 |
| Morris Minor Traveller | 72.3% | 11,365 | 47,651 mi | 72 yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi S5 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi S5 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 S5Should you buy a used Audi S5?
The Audi S5 has an overall MOT pass rate of 84.2% across 26,583 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 S5 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (288 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (230), and tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (185). 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 S5 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 S5 owner drives around 5,410 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 S5 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.