2021 Audi S5 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Audi S5 passed 90.7% of its 442 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (9.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests against 1.4% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plates and malfunction indicator lamp — tread depth alone was recorded 9 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.5% in the 0-30k band and 16.1% in the 60-90k band, a 7.7-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 20.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.9% | 35 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 6 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 5 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.9% | 4 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.9% | 4 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 5 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 5 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 4 |
| 6 | Washers | 3 |
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 | 20.1% | 89 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.2% | 32 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.7% | 25 |
| 4 | Suspension | 5.2% | 23 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.6% | 7 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.9% | 4 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 201 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 210 | 9.0% |
| 60-90k | 31 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 208 | 10.1% |
| 2025 | 221 | 8.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 S5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (7.9% 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 (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (1.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2021 Audi S5s pass their MOT?
90.7% of the 442 2021 Audi S5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi S5?
Tyres, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2021 S5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 442 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.