2014 Audi Sq5 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,020 MOT tests on the 2014 Audi Sq5 are in this dataset, and 90.5% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 18.4% of the time, so this is 8.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.8%) and suspension (2.6%) 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 42 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.5% in the 0-30k band and 16.7% in the 150k+ band, a 6.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.6% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 7.9% of tests failed in 2021 against 11.4% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.8% | 77 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.6% | 53 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.9% | 38 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.5% | 30 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.4% | 29 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.6% | 12 |
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 | 42 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 41 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 24 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 22 |
| 5 | Washers | 17 |
| 6 | Wipers | 17 |
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 | 17.6% | 356 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.8% | 298 |
| 3 | Suspension | 13.2% | 266 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.9% | 120 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.1% | 83 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 37 |
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 | 38 | 10.5% |
| 30-60k | 415 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 889 | 8.6% |
| 90-120k | 527 | 12.5% |
| 120-150k | 121 | 6.6% |
| 150k+ | 30 | 16.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,987 | 9.4% |
| Petrol | 33 | 15.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 391 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 397 | 8.6% |
| 2023 | 402 | 9.7% |
| 2024 | 418 | 9.8% |
| 2025 | 412 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Sq5
On a 2014 Sq5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.8% 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 (2.6% 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 (1.9% 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 Sq5s pass their MOT?
90.5% of the 2,020 2014 Audi Sq5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Audi Sq5?
Tyres, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by suspension (2.6%).
Does the 2014 Sq5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.5% in the 0-30k band to 16.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,020 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.