Audi Sq5 MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 11 model years and 4,334 tests, the Audi Sq5 passes its MOT 91.3% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail 15.2% of the time, so this is 6.4pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.6%) and suspension (2.5%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, pins and bushes and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 79 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.0% in the 0-30k band and 16.3% in the 150k+ band, a 11.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 16.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every Sq5 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 552 | 87.9% | 12.1% | Suspension |
| 2014 | 2,020 | 90.5% | 9.5% | Tyres |
| 2015 | 222 | 88.3% | 11.7% | Tyres |
| 2016 | 92 | 84.8% | 15.2% | Tyres |
| 2017 | 35 | 88.6% | 11.4% | Tyres |
| 2018 | 30 | 93.3% | 6.7% | Visibility |
| 2021 | 925 | 94.0% | 5.9% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 419 | 95.7% | 4.3% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 156 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.5% | 106 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 75 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.6% | 67 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 54 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.5% | 22 |
| 7 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 19 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.4% | 17 |
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 | 79 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 76 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 50 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 41 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 38 |
| 7 | Wipers | 35 |
| 8 | Position lamp | 25 |
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 | 16.2% | 703 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.2% | 614 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.8% | 425 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.2% | 268 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.7% | 161 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 60 |
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 | 723 | 5.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,260 | 7.2% |
| 60-90k | 1,320 | 9.2% |
| 90-120k | 790 | 13.2% |
| 120-150k | 198 | 10.1% |
| 150k+ | 43 | 16.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,217 | 8.7% |
| Petrol | 115 | 9.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 572 | 9.3% |
| 2022 | 575 | 9.0% |
| 2023 | 579 | 9.3% |
| 2024 | 1,115 | 8.3% |
| 2025 | 1,493 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a Audi Sq5
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
- 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 (1.7% 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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi Sq5?
91.3% of the 4,334 Audi Sq5 MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.7% fail rate, across model years 2013–2023.
What does the Audi Sq5 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, then suspension (2.5%).
How much does mileage affect Sq5 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 5.0% for cars in the 0-30k band and 16.3% for 150k+, a 11.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,334 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.