2009 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
948 MOT tests on the 2009 Audi S5 are in this dataset, and 82.8% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 21.7% of the time, so this is 4.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.1%) and suspension (5.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — coil spring alone was recorded 40 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.5% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.6% once past 150k — 2.7× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 22.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.1% in 2021 to 15.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 58 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.9% | 56 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 53 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 47 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.2% | 21 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.1% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 40 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 35 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 30 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 25 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 22 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 18 |
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 | 22.9% | 217 |
| 2 | Tyres | 21.8% | 207 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.8% | 140 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.9% | 94 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.1% | 67 |
| 6 | Other defects | 5.9% | 56 |
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 | 71 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 352 | 14.5% |
| 90-120k | 376 | 19.1% |
| 120-150k | 118 | 22.9% |
| 150k+ | 31 | 22.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 211 | 17.1% |
| 2022 | 215 | 19.1% |
| 2023 | 187 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 180 | 16.7% |
| 2025 | 155 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2009 S5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.1% 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 (5.9% 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 (5.6% 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 2009 Audi S5s pass their MOT?
82.8% of the 948 2009 Audi S5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Audi S5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (5.9%).
Does the 2009 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 30-60k band to 22.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 948 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.