Audi A5 vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class
On MOT-testable defects, the Audi A5 (fail rate 15.6%) performed better than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class (17.9%) across comparable years. The biggest divergence was suspension, where the C-Class recorded failures more often.
15.6%
A5 fail rate
17.9%
C-Class fail rate
2.35pp
Difference
Side by side
| Metric | Audi A5 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests analysed | 687,824 | 2,277,625 |
| Pass rate | 84.4% | 82.1% |
| Fail rate | 15.6% | 17.9% |
Where they differ
| Category | A5 | C-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4.9% | 8.1% |
| Emissions & environmental | 0.0% | 2.9% |
| Brakes | 2.7% | 5.4% |
| Visibility | 2.4% | 0.0% |
| Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 5.5% |
| Tyres | 7.3% | 6.4% |
Methodology & source. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.