2013 Audi Q5 — MOT failures & pass rate
35,706 MOT tests on the 2013 Audi Q5 are in this dataset, and 85.8% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (20.2% fail rate), the 2013 Q5 comes out 6.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.1%) and body, structure & corrosion (4.0%) 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 pins and bushes — joints alone was recorded 1,390 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.5% once past 150k — 3.0× the risk.
Split by fuel, petrol examples fail 2.0pp more often than diesel ones (16.1% vs 14.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 13.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.1% | 1,468 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.0% | 1,434 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.0% | 1,429 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 1,269 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.4% | 850 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 730 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,390 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,276 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 919 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 721 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 685 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 449 |
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 | 23.7% | 8,457 |
| 2 | Suspension | 16.9% | 6,030 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.4% | 5,846 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.4% | 3,345 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.6% | 1,629 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.3% | 1,189 |
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 | 328 | 5.8% |
| 30-60k | 4,405 | 10.7% |
| 60-90k | 13,039 | 14.1% |
| 90-120k | 11,430 | 15.0% |
| 120-150k | 4,878 | 15.2% |
| 150k+ | 1,624 | 17.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 32,849 | 14.1% |
| Petrol | 2,853 | 16.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,201 | 13.0% |
| 2022 | 7,135 | 13.1% |
| 2023 | 7,110 | 13.4% |
| 2024 | 7,158 | 15.1% |
| 2025 | 7,102 | 16.5% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Q5
On a 2013 Q5, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (4.0% 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+.
- Tyres (4.0% 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.
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 2013 Audi Q5s pass their MOT?
85.8% of the 35,706 2013 Audi Q5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Audi Q5?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (4.0%).
Does the 2013 Q5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 35,706 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.