Audi A5 MOT Failures
An analysis of 671,193 real DVSA MOT tests on the Audi A5 — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: B8 (2007–2021).
Where the Audi A5 fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Audi A5 is headlight fault — this model is 19 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a significant weak point for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 671,193 MOT tests, 0.26% of all Audi A5 tests recorded this as a failure.
Lighting faults are usually straightforward to fix (bulbs, connectors, earth points) but can indicate deeper wiring issues on older cars. Check all lights including fog lamps, number plate lights, and dashboard warning lights.
Other notable weak points include window tint too dark (17x the fleet average), coil springs broken (71x the fleet average), exhaust system damage (20x the fleet average), and emissions failure (16x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Audi A5's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 7 categories: Lights & Electrics, Wipers & Windscreen, Suspension, Bodywork, Exhaust & Emissions and others. If you're inspecting a Audi A5 before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Audi A5's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Audi A5 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are coil springs broken (71x the average) and tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned (16x). window tint too dark (11x) and tyre seriously damaged (9.4x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Audi A5 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are fluid leak (430x the average) and window tint too dark (17x). emissions failure (16x) and coil springs broken (13x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Audi A5 specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... (9.8x the average) and suspension component damaged or corroded (9.3x). parking brake inefficient (9.3x) and suspension ball joints worn (9.1x) also appear frequently.
The shift from coil springs broken at lower mileages to stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Audi A5 specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Timing chain tensioner failure (B8) Dangerous
The EA888 Gen1 and Gen2 engines use hydraulic timing chain tensioners that fail catastrophically between 50k-120k miles. Affects B8; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,800.
Rear spring fracture (B8) Dangerous
MOT data shows A5 models failing spring inspections at over 26972.7x the national fleet average, indicating a serious structural defect. Affects B8; typical independent garage repair cost is £200–£400.
Excessive oil consumption (2008-2012) Major
EA888 Gen1 and Gen2 engines suffer from defective piston rings that allow excessive oil consumption, typically exceeding 1 litre per 1000 miles. Affects B8; typical independent garage repair cost is £2,500–£4,000.
Timing chain stretch and rattle (B8 V6 TDI) Major
The 3.0 V6 TDI engine has its timing chain assembly located at the rear of the engine block, making access extremely difficult and expensive. Affects B8; typical independent garage repair cost is £4,000–£8,000.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Audi A5 common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Audi A5
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Audi A5:
Lights & Electrics — check for headlight fault, stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/.... Wipers & Windscreen — check for window tint too dark. Suspension — check for coil springs broken. Bodywork — check for exhaust system damage.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about timing chain tensioner failure and rear spring fracture. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £800. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Audi A5?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Audi A5 MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Audi A5?
Based on 671,193 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is headlight fault — at 19x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include window tint too dark and coil springs broken.
Is the Audi A5 reliable based on MOT data?
The Audi A5 has 19 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag timing chain tensioner failure as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Audi A5 most commonly fails on stop lamp with a multiple light source up to 1/... and suspension component damaged or corroded. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are coil springs broken and tyre valve seriously damaged or misaligned.
How do I check a Audi A5's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.