2012 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
866 MOT tests on the 2012 Audi S5 are in this dataset, and 87.4% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (18.5% fail rate), the 2012 S5 comes out 5.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.9%) and lighting & signalling (3.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 23 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 9.7% in the 30-60k band and 14.3% in the 120-150k band, a 4.6-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 10.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 15.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 51 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.1% | 27 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.4% | 21 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.4% | 21 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.7% | 15 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.5% | 13 |
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 | 23 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 16 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 11 |
| 5 | Wipers | 10 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 9 |
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 | 23.7% | 205 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.5% | 134 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.1% | 122 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.5% | 65 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.9% | 25 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 2.5% | 22 |
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 | 175 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 410 | 12.9% |
| 90-120k | 206 | 14.1% |
| 120-150k | 56 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 172 | 10.5% |
| 2022 | 171 | 11.1% |
| 2023 | 175 | 14.3% |
| 2024 | 170 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 178 | 15.7% |
What to check before buying a 2012 S5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.9% of tests. Start there.
- 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.
- Lighting & signalling (3.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.4% 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.
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 2012 Audi S5s pass their MOT?
87.4% of the 866 2012 Audi S5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Audi S5?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.1%).
Does the 2012 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.7% in the 30-60k band to 14.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 866 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.