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Audi A5 reliability by build year

Coverage 2007-present3 named generationscoupeCoupePETROL / DIESEL
At a glance

Audi A5 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Audi A5 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Check an Audi A5 by number plate

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Audi A5 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 13% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi A5 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Audi A5's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your A5's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

A5 F6 (3rd gen)

F6 (3rd gen) (2024-present)

DIESELPETROL
Too new for MOT figures: first MOTs due from 2027View details →
A5 F5

F5 (2016-2023)

Average
DIESELPETROL

16.2% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 15,811 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A5 8T

8T (2007-2015)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

18.8% fail rate, built around 2015 (10 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 22.8%)

From 13,122 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Audi A5.

See every build year for the Audi A5

Side-by-side

Audi A5 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
F5 (2016-2023)
Average
Average16.2%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 15,811 MOT tests at this age
8T (2007-2015)
Excellent
Excellent18.8%built around 2015 (10 years old)from 13,122 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the A5, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Audi A5 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Audi A5 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
5,44610.4%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
6,19211.5%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
7,52511.8%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
12,15715.1%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
15,81116.2%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
13,19317.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
11,59917.5%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
13,12218.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
13,51220.2%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
12,18321.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
11,54021.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
12,32124.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
10,37323.6%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
5,29925.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
3,50724.5%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
44723.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Audi A5 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Audi models

10th of 12

10th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other coupes

13th of 13

Among the highest fail rates of the 13 coupes with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

16.2%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails about as often as the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Audi A5 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Audi A5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    19.0%
    Advisory: 4,360Fail: 549 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    10.4%
    Advisory: 2,792Fail: 211 (7% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.3%
    Advisory: 1,756Fail: 168 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    9.1%
    Advisory: 652Fail: 1,199 (65% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    7.3%
    Advisory: 1,220Fail: 452 (27% of the times it was found)

Based on 15,811 MOT tests on 7-year-old Audi A5 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Audi A5 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres37%
  2. Brakes + Tyres29%
  3. Brakes + Suspension22%
  4. Other + Tyres14%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 3,567 MOT tests on Audi A5 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

88%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

24 recalls in all

19 of the 24 Audi A5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 15 more

Top concerns

  • Stop-drive Takata PSAN
  • Replacing Takata passenger airbag gas generator
  • Risk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes to compare

  1. 1

    Porsche 911

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.4%
    Dangerous
    1.6%
    Still registered at 10 years
    94%

    Lower fail rate: 5.3%, against 16.2% for the Audi A5, both built around 2018.

    2,547 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Porsche Cayman

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    5.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93%

    Lower fail rate: 5.5%, against 16.2% for the Audi A5, both built around 2018.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Jaguar F-Type

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    8.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.9%
    Dangerous
    2.4%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.3%

    Lower fail rate: 8.6%, against 16.2% for the Audi A5, both built around 2018.

    2,085 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    BMW M2

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    4.2%
    Dangerous
    3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    Lower fail rate: 10.8%, against 16.2% for the Audi A5, both built around 2018.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,745 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A5 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 10th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 15,811 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Audi A5 ever sold: 154,227 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 15,811 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.