2018 Audi A5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Audi A5 passed 89.0% of its 65,290 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (10.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests against 3.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, coil spring and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 2,391 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 14.4% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 10.6% of the time against 12.0% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 4,078 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.0% | 1,983 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.5% | 981 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 807 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 638 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 355 |
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 | 2,391 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,596 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 1,040 |
| 4 | Wipers | 725 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 609 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 452 |
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 | 22.9% | 14,928 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.9% | 8,441 |
| 3 | Suspension | 8.9% | 5,842 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.5% | 4,248 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 2,005 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 418 |
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 | 19,350 | 7.6% |
| 30-60k | 32,131 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 11,119 | 14.7% |
| 90-120k | 2,170 | 16.0% |
| 120-150k | 403 | 16.1% |
| 150k+ | 111 | 14.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 48,313 | 10.6% |
| Diesel | 16,977 | 12.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,453 | 8.5% |
| 2022 | 12,957 | 8.8% |
| 2023 | 12,872 | 10.6% |
| 2024 | 12,884 | 12.4% |
| 2025 | 13,124 | 14.6% |
What to check before buying a 2018 A5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.3% 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.
- Brakes (1.5% 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 2018 Audi A5s pass their MOT?
89.0% of the 65,290 2018 Audi A5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Audi A5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.3% of tests, followed by suspension (3.0%).
Does the 2018 A5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.6% in the 0-30k band to 14.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 65,290 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.