2016 Audi A5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 48,456 MOT tests, the 2016 Audi A5 recorded an 86.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (12.7% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests against 3.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, shock absorbers and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 1,913 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 18.8% in the 150k+ band, a 11.7-point spread — more than double.
The petrol cars hold up better: 11.5% fail against 14.4% for diesel, a 2.9-point gap across 48,456 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 11.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.9% | 3,834 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.0% | 1,456 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 1,176 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.3% | 1,117 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 762 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.6% | 756 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,913 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 1,097 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 961 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 901 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 702 |
| 6 | Washers | 443 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.1% | 12,662 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.0% | 7,730 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.3% | 6,464 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.6% | 3,193 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 1,507 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 416 |
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 | 3,520 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 19,604 | 11.6% |
| 60-90k | 16,649 | 15.1% |
| 90-120k | 6,393 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 1,694 | 18.5% |
| 150k+ | 595 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 37,078 | 14.4% |
| Petrol | 11,378 | 11.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,616 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 9,667 | 12.3% |
| 2023 | 9,807 | 14.8% |
| 2024 | 9,695 | 14.7% |
| 2025 | 9,671 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 A5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (3.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2016 Audi A5s pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 48,456 2016 Audi A5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Audi A5?
Tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by suspension (3.0%).
Does the 2016 A5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 48,456 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.