2019 Audi A5 — MOT failures & pass rate
44,876 MOT tests on the 2019 Audi A5 are in this dataset, and 89.4% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 10.3%, so the 2019 A5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.3% of all tests — 5.5 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and coil spring — tread depth alone was recorded 2,083 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.0% in the 0-30k band and 19.6% in the 150k+ band, a 11.6-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 10.4% of the time against 11.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 12.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.3% | 3,270 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.8% | 793 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.3% | 573 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 474 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.8% | 374 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 224 |
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 | 2,083 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 630 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 533 |
| 4 | Wipers | 378 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 360 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 266 |
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 | 23.5% | 10,559 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.0% | 5,816 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.4% | 2,855 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.7% | 2,534 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.7% | 1,193 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.5% | 210 |
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 | 17,465 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 21,632 | 11.7% |
| 60-90k | 4,812 | 14.6% |
| 90-120k | 791 | 13.5% |
| 120-150k | 125 | 14.4% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 19.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 33,599 | 10.4% |
| Diesel | 11,275 | 11.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 473 | 5.1% |
| 2022 | 11,177 | 8.9% |
| 2023 | 11,131 | 9.6% |
| 2024 | 10,983 | 11.4% |
| 2025 | 11,112 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 2019 A5
On a 2019 A5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.3% 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 (1.8% 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 (1.3% 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 2019 Audi A5s pass their MOT?
89.4% of the 44,876 2019 Audi A5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2019 Audi A5?
Tyres, recorded in 7.3% of tests, followed by suspension (1.8%).
Does the 2019 A5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 19.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 44,876 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.