2013 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 664 MOT tests, the 2013 Audi S5 recorded an 87.2% pass rate. Against executive cars of a similar age (17.1% fail rate), the 2013 S5 comes out 4.3pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.6%) and brakes (2.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — brake pads alone was recorded 19 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 8.2% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 21.9% once past 120-150k — 2.7× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 21.2% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.6% | 37 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.9% | 19 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.9% | 19 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 2.7% | 18 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.8% | 12 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 19 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 15 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 14 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 12 |
| 5 | Attachment | 7 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 7 |
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 | 21.2% | 141 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.2% | 101 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.5% | 63 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.8% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 19 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.3% | 15 |
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 | 182 | 8.2% |
| 60-90k | 308 | 13.3% |
| 90-120k | 119 | 16.8% |
| 120-150k | 32 | 21.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 126 | 7.1% |
| 2022 | 136 | 16.2% |
| 2023 | 130 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 128 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 144 | 19.4% |
What to check before buying a 2013 S5
On a 2013 S5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.6% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.6% 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.
- Brakes (2.9% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (2.9% 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.
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 2013 Audi S5s pass their MOT?
87.2% of the 664 2013 Audi S5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Audi S5?
Tyres, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by brakes (2.9%).
Does the 2013 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.2% in the 30-60k band to 21.9% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 664 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.