2010 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,645 MOT tests, the 2010 Audi S5 recorded an 84.3% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 20.8% of the time, so this is 5.1pp 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 (6.2%) and suspension (5.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, malfunction indicator lamp and coil spring — headlamp aim alone was recorded 59 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 20.4% versus 13.9%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 22.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 16.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 102 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.5% | 91 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 77 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.1% | 67 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.3% | 38 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 29 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 2 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 45 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 43 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 36 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 30 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 29 |
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 | 22.6% | 372 |
| 2 | Tyres | 22.3% | 367 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.6% | 256 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 151 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.2% | 86 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.3% | 71 |
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 | 209 | 13.9% |
| 60-90k | 600 | 14.3% |
| 90-120k | 574 | 16.7% |
| 120-150k | 203 | 18.2% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 20.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 342 | 14.6% |
| 2022 | 342 | 16.1% |
| 2023 | 328 | 13.1% |
| 2024 | 328 | 18.0% |
| 2025 | 305 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2010 S5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
- Suspension (5.5% 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 (4.7% 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 2010 Audi S5s pass their MOT?
84.3% of the 1,645 2010 Audi S5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Audi S5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by suspension (5.5%).
Does the 2010 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.9% in the 30-60k band to 20.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,645 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.