Audi A5 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Audi A5 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 124,054 UK MOT tests of the Audi A5 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2014–2016 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 4.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (3.4×); tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (4×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (2.9×). The most common reasons a Audi A5 fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); coil spring (fractured or broken); shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Audi A5
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Audi A5 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3.8% | 0.9% | 4.2× | 5,825 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2017–2019 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 5.4% | 1.6% | 3.4× | 11,853 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Advisory | 2012–2014 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.8% | 1.2% | 4× | 1,098 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 10% | 3.6% | 2.9× | 5,825 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2017–2019 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.1% | 1.1% | 2.8× | 5,170 |
| Tyres (tread depth): tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | MOT fail | 2019–2021 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.5% | 1.7% | 2.1× | 8,395 |
| Tyres (condition): has ply or cords exposed | MOT fail | 2013–2015 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3.2% | 1.7% | 1.9× | 7,278 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4.1% | 2% | 2.1× | 786 |
Audi A5 by mileage (2017–2019 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 2,743 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (9%) | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords (3%, 2×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 13,780 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 11,853 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.4%, 3.4×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 5,170 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (6.7%, 3.2×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 1,632 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (8.6%, 3.3×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 500 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (9.4%, 3×) |
Audi A5 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1,510 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.1×) |
| 2008 | 4,359 | Brake pads: wearing thin at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (1.8×) |
| 2009 | 6,304 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.1×) |
| 2010 | 10,594 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.1×) |
| 2011 | 9,979 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.8×) |
| 2012 | 9,555 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4.2×) |
| 2013 | 10,920 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (4×) |
| 2014 | 10,807 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (3.4×) |
| 2015 | 10,467 | Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4.2×) |
| 2016 | 8,430 | Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (4.1×) |
| 2017 | 14,233 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.9×) |
| 2018 | 11,593 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.4×) |
| 2019 | 10,124 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.6×) |
| 2020 | 4,996 | Tyres (condition): has ply or cords exposed at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.6×) |
| 2021 | 176 | Tyres (tread depth): tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.2×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Audi A5?
In 124,054 UK MOT tests of the Audi A5 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak): recorded on 3.8% of tests of 2014–2016 cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km), 4.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (3.4×); tyres (a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords) (4×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (2.9×). The most common reasons a Audi A5 fails its MOT are tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); coil spring (fractured or broken); shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak).
Why do Audi A5s fail the MOT?
Across 124,054 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Audi A5 were tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (3.8% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (4.5% of tests); shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak) (3.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Audi A5 problems start?
The clearest Audi A5-specific issue, shock absorbers (a serious fluid leak), peaks against other cars at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) on 2014–2016 cars (3.8% of tests vs 0.9% for all cars that age).
Where does this Audi A5 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 124,054 tests of the Audi A5. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.