2011 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,229 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Audi S5, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 86.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (78.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 15.7% in the 120-150k group versus 8.4% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.3% | 78 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.5% | 43 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.9% | 36 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.0% | 25 |
| 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 | Pins and bushes | 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 | 17.5% | 215 |
| 2 | Suspension | 17.5% | 215 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.0% | 160 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.0% | 62 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 51 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 49 |
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 | 262 | 8.4% |
| 60-90k | 552 | 13.6% |
| 90-120k | 300 | 18.7% |
| 120-150k | 70 | 15.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 261 | 11.1% |
| 2022 | 253 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 243 | 15.6% |
| 2024 | 242 | 14.5% |
| 2025 | 230 | 14.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 S5
Before buying a 2011 Audi S5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.3% 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 (2.9% 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 1,229 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 6.3% of tests, followed by suspension (3.5%).
Does the 2011 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.4% in the 30-60k band to 15.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,229 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.