2008 Audi Q5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,149 MOT tests, the 2008 Audi Q5 recorded a 78.9% pass rate. That is 5.9 percentage points better than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 26.9%. Failures cluster in suspension, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (10.2%) and body, structure & corrosion (8.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are joints, headlamp aim and coil spring — joints alone was recorded 79 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2008 Q5 fails 16.3% of the time in the 30-60k band and 17.9% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.6 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 31.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.2% | 117 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 94 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 7.5% | 86 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.3% | 38 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 34 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.0% | 34 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 79 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 67 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 61 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 52 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 32 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 28 |
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 | 31.2% | 359 |
| 2 | Tyres | 24.5% | 282 |
| 3 | Brakes | 21.1% | 242 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.7% | 123 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.8% | 113 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.7% | 54 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 43 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 134 | 20.9% |
| 90-120k | 336 | 22.0% |
| 120-150k | 387 | 22.7% |
| 150k+ | 246 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,075 | 21.0% |
| Petrol | 74 | 21.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 273 | 23.4% |
| 2022 | 257 | 21.0% |
| 2023 | 227 | 19.4% |
| 2024 | 198 | 17.7% |
| 2025 | 194 | 23.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Q5
On a 2008 Q5, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 10.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (10.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (8.2% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (7.5% 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 2008 Audi Q5s pass their MOT?
78.9% of the 1,149 2008 Audi Q5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Audi Q5?
Suspension, recorded in 10.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (8.2%).
Does the 2008 Q5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 30-60k band to 17.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,149 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.