2020 Audi RS5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 406 MOT tests, the 2020 Audi RS5 recorded a 90.1% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail at 9.4%, so the 2020 RS5 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, other defects and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 5.9% of all tests — 4.2 points clear of other defects, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, malfunction indicator lamp and headlamp aim — registration plates alone was recorded 11 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 24 |
| 2 | Other defects | 1.7% | 7 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.7% | 7 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 1.0% | 4 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.0% | 4 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 11 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 7 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 3 |
| 5 | Headlamp cleaning device | 2 |
| 6 | Attachment | 2 |
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 | 17.2% | 70 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.1% | 37 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.9% | 24 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.4% | 22 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 6 |
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 | 220 | 10.0% |
| 30-60k | 177 | 9.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 127 | 9.4% |
| 2024 | 142 | 11.3% |
| 2025 | 137 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2020 RS5
On a 2020 RS5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.9% 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.
- Other defects (1.7% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Emissions & environmental (1.7% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 RS5s pass their MOT?
90.1% of the 406 2020 Audi RS5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi RS5?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by other defects (1.7%).
Does the 2020 RS5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.0% in the 0-30k band to 9.6% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 406 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.