2011 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2011 Audi S5 passed 86.3% of its 1,244 recorded MOT tests. That is 6.0 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 19.7%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (6.4%) and suspension (3.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, tread depth and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 34 times.
A 120-150k example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 17.1% versus 8.3%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 11.4% of tests failed in 2021 against 14.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.4% | 80 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.5% | 43 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 3.0% | 37 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 26 |
| 6 | Brakes | 1.6% | 20 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 34 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 31 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 30 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 20 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 20 |
| 6 | Wipers | 17 |
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 | 17.7% | 220 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.3% | 215 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 165 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 62 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 51 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 50 |
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 | 266 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 552 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 304 | 18.4% |
| 120-150k | 76 | 17.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 264 | 11.4% |
| 2022 | 256 | 12.5% |
| 2023 | 245 | 15.5% |
| 2024 | 246 | 14.6% |
| 2025 | 233 | 14.6% |
What to check before buying a 2011 S5
On a 2011 S5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.4% 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 (3.5% 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 (3.0% 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 2011 Audi S5s pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 1,244 2011 Audi S5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Audi S5?
Tyres, recorded in 6.4% of tests, followed by suspension (3.5%).
Does the 2011 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.3% in the 30-60k band to 17.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,244 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.