2014 Audi Q5 — MOT failures & pass rate
49,774 MOT tests on the 2014 Audi Q5 are in this dataset, and 86.6% of them passed. Against mid-size SUVs of a similar age (18.0% fail rate), the 2014 Q5 comes out 4.6pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and body, structure & corrosion (4.1%) 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 2,045 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.4% in the 0-30k band and 16.3% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread — more than double.
The diesel cars hold up better: 13.1% fail against 16.6% for petrol, a 3.4-point gap across 49,774 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 12.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 2,087 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.1% | 2,055 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.4% | 1,699 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 1,324 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.1% | 1,067 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 888 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,045 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,458 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 1,178 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,099 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 881 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 688 |
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 | 23.2% | 11,548 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 7,455 |
| 3 | Suspension | 14.5% | 7,200 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.0% | 4,460 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.4% | 2,195 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.7% | 1,345 |
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 | 797 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 10,350 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 20,619 | 13.7% |
| 90-120k | 12,797 | 14.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,952 | 14.7% |
| 150k+ | 1,255 | 16.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 46,134 | 13.1% |
| Petrol | 3,640 | 16.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,026 | 12.2% |
| 2022 | 9,992 | 12.9% |
| 2023 | 9,943 | 13.0% |
| 2024 | 9,901 | 13.9% |
| 2025 | 9,912 | 14.8% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Q5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.2% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (4.1% 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 (3.4% 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 2014 Audi Q5s pass their MOT?
86.6% of the 49,774 2014 Audi Q5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Audi Q5?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (4.1%).
Does the 2014 Q5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 16.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 49,774 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.