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Audi Q5 reliability by build year

Coverage 2008-present2 named generationspremium family SUVSUVDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Audi Q5 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Audi Q5 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check an Audi Q5 by number plate

Key figure

13% of MOT tests on Audi Q5 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi Q5 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Audi Q5'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 Q5's generation

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

Q5 FY

FY (2017-present)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

13.3% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

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

From 14,230 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Q5 8R

8R (2008-2016)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

15.1% fail rate, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 5 MOTs, 20.8%)

From 12,979 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 Q5.

See every build year for the Audi Q5

Side-by-side

Audi Q5 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
FY (2017-present)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings13.3%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 14,230 MOT tests at this age
8R (2008-2016)
Excellent
Excellent15.1%built around 2016 (9 years old)from 12,979 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Q5, 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 Q5 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Audi Q5 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
11,8307.3%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
11,4328.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11,1319.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
14,08810.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
14,23013.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
12,65914.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
12,97915.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
12,01215.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
8,69017.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
7,11519.4%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
6,14321.9%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
5,70923.1%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
4,87224.7%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
2,54126.0%

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 Q5 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

7th of 12

7th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other SUVs

30th of 89

30th lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

13.3%

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

Fails less often than 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 Q5 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Audi Q5 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

    16.8%
    Advisory: 3,657Fail: 300 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.6%
    Advisory: 2,091Fail: 170 (8% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

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

    7.8%
    Advisory: 1,695Fail: 221 (12% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    5.6%
    Advisory: 462Fail: 563 (55% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    4.6%
    Advisory: 854Fail: 140 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 14,230 MOT tests on 7-year-old Audi Q5 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 Q5 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. Brakes + Tyres30%
  2. Suspension + Tyres21%
  3. Other + Tyres16%
  4. Brakes + Suspension16%

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

Across 3,007 MOT tests on Audi Q5 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

95%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

30 recalls in all

28 of the 30 Audi Q5 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 8 Critical
  • 20 more

Top concerns

  • Software update for battery control unit
  • Stop-drive Takata PSAN
  • Cylinder head cover bolts inspection

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

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Audi Q5 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 13.3% for the Audi Q5, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Skoda Karoq

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    10.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    4.3%

    Lower fail rate: 10.3%, against 13.3% for the Audi Q5, both built around 2018.

    8,610 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 13.3% for the Audi Q5, both built around 2018.

    1,815 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 Q5 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 7th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 14,230 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 Q5 ever sold: 135,431 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 14,230 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.