2014 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
571 MOT tests on the 2014 Audi S5 are in this dataset, and 88.3% of them passed. That is 3.8 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 15.5%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.4% of tests against 2.5% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, tread depth and wipers — shock absorbers alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2014 S5 fails 9.1% of the time in the 30-60k band and 9.1% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.0 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 21.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.4% | 42 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 14 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 12 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.2% | 7 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.1% | 6 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 11 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 3 | Wipers | 10 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 6 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 5 |
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 | 21.9% | 125 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.5% | 77 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.0% | 63 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.8% | 39 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 18 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 8 |
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 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 243 | 15.2% |
| 90-120k | 77 | 9.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 113 | 11.5% |
| 2022 | 118 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 110 | 11.8% |
| 2024 | 116 | 10.3% |
| 2025 | 114 | 12.3% |
What to check before buying a 2014 S5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.4% 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 (2.5% 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 (2.1% 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 2014 Audi S5s pass their MOT?
88.3% of the 571 2014 Audi S5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Audi S5?
Tyres, recorded in 7.4% of tests, followed by suspension (2.5%).
Does the 2014 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 30-60k band to 9.1% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 571 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.