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Audi Q5 8R (2008-2016) reliability

At a glance

Audi Q5 8R built around 2016: fails its MOT less often than average

Audi Q5 8R models built around 2016 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age.

Looking at an Audi Q5 8R?

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

Key figure

15% of MOT tests on Audi Q5 8R models built around 2016 ended in a fail (retests included), against 21% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi Q5 8R models built around 2016 involves the suspension.

Audi Q5 8R
excellent reliability2008-2016SUVDIESEL / PETROL

Based on 65,913 tests of Q5 models registered 2008-2016.

About 1 in 30 Q5 8R MOTs (3.3%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2016 (9 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 12,979 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 25 Q5 8R MOTs (3.8%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2016 (9 years old).

Based on 12,979 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

8R fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5,85214.5%
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.

How the Q5 8R compares

At each age below, see how the Q5 8R holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 180,406 tests across 14 Audi models, built around 2016 (9 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAudi average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
5,85214.5%
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.

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.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

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

Tyres

Worth checking

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

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 SUVs to compare

Other SUVs, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Q5 8R.

  1. 1

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.7%
    Dangerous
    3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.3%, against 15.1% for the Audi Q5 8R, both built around 2016.

    1,846 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  2. 2

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.4%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.8%
    Dangerous
    3.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 11.3%, against 15.1% for the Audi Q5 8R, both built around 2016.

    4,025 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  3. 3

    Land Rover Discovery

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    No clear edge over the Audi Q5 8R on these figures.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    11,746 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

  4. 4

    Porsche Macan

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    11.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.6%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.6%

    Lower fail rate: 11.6%, against 15.1% for the Audi Q5 8R, both built around 2016.

    4,401 MOT tests on cars built around 2016

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.

How many are still registered

95%of all Audi Q5 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

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

13 of the 30 Q5 8R recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 9 more

Top concerns

  • Stop-drive Takata PSAN
  • Replacing Takata passenger airbag gas generator
  • Auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat

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

Fail rate by engine size, built around 2016 (9 years old)

Engine sizes across all diesel Q5 tests (not specific to 8R).

1.4 to 2.0 litres16.0%8,990 tests2.0 to 3.0 litres11.7%3,100 tests
How Q5 8R cars have aged

How Q5 8R 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%20%579111315Age at MOTBuilt around 2016, 5 years old at the time of MOT: 9.4% (8,093 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2016, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 10.9% (8,074 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2016, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 12.8% (7,863 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2016, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 13.9% (7,686 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2016, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.0% (7,608 tests, 2025 data)2016Built around 2015, 6 years old at the time of MOT: 11.8% (7,834 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2015, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 13.1% (7,676 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2015, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.3% (7,532 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2015, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (7,382 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2015, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 15.4% (7,189 tests, 2025 data)2015Built around 2014, 7 years old at the time of MOT: 14.2% (6,223 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2014, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 14.6% (5,985 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2014, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.2% (5,805 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2014, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 15.7% (5,737 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2014, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (5,711 tests, 2025 data)2014Built around 2013, 8 years old at the time of MOT: 15.1% (4,821 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2013, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 15.6% (4,762 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2013, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 15.9% (4,621 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2013, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.4% (4,622 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2013, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 19.3% (4,607 tests, 2025 data)2013Built around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 16.6% (3,352 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 17.9% (3,355 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.0% (3,333 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 19.9% (3,204 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 20.9% (3,136 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 18.5% (4,246 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 20.1% (4,146 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (4,120 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (3,836 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 22.1% (3,797 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.1% (2,995 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 21.8% (2,885 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.5% (2,828 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.2% (2,733 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 23.8% (2,581 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.3% (2,954 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 23.9% (2,834 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 24.7% (2,665 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 25.4% (2,537 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 25.8% (2,359 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 24.5% (53 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 20.4% (54 tests, 2022 data)2008
First registered around 2016First registered around 2015First registered around 2014First registered around 2013
8R variants compared

Q5 8R variants built around 2016

The fail rate for each Q5 8R variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.

Diesel

  • Q514.9%12,086 tests

Petrol

  • Q518.1%880 tests
All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common issues on Audi Q5 models of this age

This list covers every Audi Q5 built around 2016, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 8R 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

    19.2%
    Advisory: 3,736Fail: 221 (6% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

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

    17.6%
    Advisory: 3,965Fail: 491 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    10.6%
    Advisory: 1,592Fail: 171 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.8%
    Advisory: 1,067Fail: 208 (16% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    5.5%
    Advisory: 1,029Fail: 8 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 12,979 tests

Looking at an Audi Q5 8R?

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

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2016 (9 years old), the Audi Q5 8R (2008-2016) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 12,979 9-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 65,913 MOT tests on Audi Q5 models first registered between 2008-2016. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.