2020 Audi A5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 16,426 MOT tests, the 2020 Audi A5 recorded an 89.7% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 10.0%, so the 2020 A5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 7.0% of all tests — 5.4 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and shock absorbers — tread depth alone was recorded 726 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 18.9% in the 90-120k band, a 10.5-point spread — more than double.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 9.7% of the time against 10.9% 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 — 5.5% of tests failed in 2022 against 10.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.0% | 1,153 |
| 2 | Suspension | 1.6% | 267 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 216 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.0% | 167 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.8% | 134 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.7% | 112 |
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 | 726 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 227 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 182 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 180 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 136 |
| 6 | Mounting | 108 |
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% | 3,856 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 1,712 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.7% | 1,102 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.4% | 1,045 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 474 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 77 |
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 | 7,119 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 7,950 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,186 | 14.2% |
| 90-120k | 132 | 18.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 8,722 | 9.7% |
| Diesel | 7,685 | 10.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 220 | 5.5% |
| 2023 | 5,495 | 9.9% |
| 2024 | 5,393 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 5,305 | 10.4% |
What to check before buying a 2020 A5
On a 2020 A5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 7.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (7.0% 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 (1.6% 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 (1.3% 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 2020 Audi A5s pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 16,426 2020 Audi A5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi A5?
Tyres, recorded in 7.0% of tests, followed by suspension (1.6%).
Does the 2020 A5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 18.9% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,426 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.