2005 Audi A2 — MOT failures & pass rate
6,673 MOT tests on the 2005 Audi A2 are in this dataset, and 72.4% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail at 27.6%, so the 2005 A2 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.5%) and suspension (12.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, joints and service brake performance — headlamp aim alone was recorded 481 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 30.5% versus 17.5%.
Fuel type barely separates them — diesel fails 27.4% of the time against 28.3% for petrol.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 29.0% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.5% | 901 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 862 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.3% | 822 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.4% | 362 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.4% | 360 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 311 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 481 |
| 2 | Joints | 312 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 287 |
| 4 | Rbt (sp) | 262 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 253 |
| 6 | Washers | 237 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 29.0% | 1,938 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.5% | 1,900 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.4% | 1,696 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 14.1% | 941 |
| 5 | Other defects | 11.7% | 783 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.5% | 768 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 57 | 17.5% |
| 30-60k | 444 | 20.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,056 | 26.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,616 | 26.1% |
| 120-150k | 1,543 | 28.4% |
| 150k+ | 1,953 | 30.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,904 | 27.4% |
| Petrol | 1,769 | 28.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,512 | 27.5% |
| 2022 | 1,401 | 27.1% |
| 2023 | 1,390 | 28.5% |
| 2024 | 1,250 | 28.6% |
| 2025 | 1,120 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2005 A2
On a 2005 A2, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (12.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2005 Audi A2s pass their MOT?
72.4% of the 6,673 2005 Audi A2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Audi A2?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.5% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2005 A2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.5% in the 0-30k band to 30.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 6,673 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.