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Audi A5 F5 (2016-2023) reliability

At a glance

Audi A5 F5 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Audi A5 F5 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at an Audi A5 F5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

16% of MOT tests on Audi A5 F5 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 F5 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Audi A5 F5
average reliability2016-2023CoupeDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 66,834 tests of A5 models registered 2016-2023.

About 1 in 9 petrol A5 cars registered in 2022 (11.1%) failed their first MOT.

Based on 2,577 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).

About 1 in 30 A5 F5 MOTs (3.6%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 15,811 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 20 A5 F5 MOTs (5.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).

Based on 15,811 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

F5 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
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
6,51017.5%

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 9 years old.

How the A5 F5 compares

At each age below, see how the A5 F5 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 171,464 tests across 16 Audi models, built around 2018 (7 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAudi average
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
6,51017.5%

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.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can 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.

Other coupes to compare

Other coupes, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the A5 F5.

  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 F5, 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 F5, 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 F5, both built around 2018.

    3 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    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 F5, 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.

Recall context

20 recalls in all

13 of the 20 A5 F5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 1 Critical
  • 12 more

Top concerns

  • Risk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump
  • Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be
  • Rear axle suspension links nuts do not meet specifications

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

What has gone wrong on A5 F5 cars built around 2018

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 665 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
15%
Emissions
2%

Wear items

Tyres
28%
Brakes
9%
Lighting
3%

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Engine sizes across all petrol A5 tests (not specific to F5).

1.0 to 1.4 litres17.1%858 tests1.4 to 2.0 litres16.8%4,816 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres13.8%4,011 tests
How A5 F5 cars have aged

How A5 F5 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%3456789Age at MOTBuilt around 2021, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (4,407 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2021, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.5% (3,904 tests, 2025 data)2021Built around 2020, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (4,015 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2020, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 12.5% (3,483 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2020, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (3,157 tests, 2025 data)2020Built around 2019, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (8,404 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2019, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 11.1% (7,592 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2019, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 13.3% (7,241 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2019, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (7,085 tests, 2025 data)2019Built around 2018, 3 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (9,825 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2018, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.6% (9,029 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2018, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.2% (8,603 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2018, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.0% (8,545 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2018, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (8,456 tests, 2025 data)2018Built around 2017, 4 years old at the time of MOT: 10.2% (10,950 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2017, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 11.6% (10,149 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2017, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.7% (9,929 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2017, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 15.7% (9,633 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2017, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (9,433 tests, 2025 data)2017Built around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 12.7% (6,826 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 14.2% (6,810 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 17.1% (6,859 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 16.2% (6,581 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 17.5% (6,510 tests, 2025 data)2016
First registered around 2021First registered around 2020First registered around 2019First registered around 2018
How each part holds up as F5 cars age

How each part holds up as F5 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car5 years6 years7 years8 years
Suspension6%10%15%21%
Brakes4%4%9%7%
Emissions2%1%2%3%
Tyres26%27%28%31%
Lighting1%3%3%3%
DrivetrainNo figureNo figureNo figure1%

Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 106 to 665 cars at each age.

F5 variants compared

A5 F5 variants built around 2018

The fail rate for each A5 F5 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Petrol

  • A515.6%9,679 tests

Diesel

  • A517.1%6,114 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Audi A5 models of this age

This list covers every Audi A5 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the F5 on its own.

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 tests

Looking at an Audi A5 F5?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A5 F5 (2016-2023) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 15,811 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 66,834 MOT tests on Audi A5 models first registered between 2016-2023. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.