2014 Audi A5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 63,243 MOT tests analysed for the 2014 Audi A5, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension. Its pass rate of 84.5% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (84.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 18.8% in the 150k+ group versus 7.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.8% | 4,905 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 4.7% | 2,959 |
| 3 | Suspension | 3.9% | 2,465 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.8% | 1,796 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.3% | 1,482 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.6% | 1,037 |
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 | 2,669 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,121 |
| 3 | Shock absorbers | 1,434 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 1,304 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 1,200 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 1,103 |
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 | 27.0% | 17,042 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.5% | 11,726 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.8% | 10,596 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.8% | 4,320 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.9% | 2,460 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 1,269 |
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 | 1,412 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 13,457 | 11.2% |
| 60-90k | 23,398 | 15.6% |
| 90-120k | 15,561 | 17.8% |
| 120-150k | 6,550 | 18.9% |
| 150k+ | 2,861 | 18.8% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 48,963 | 16.4% |
| Petrol | 14,280 | 12.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,639 | 13.1% |
| 2022 | 12,784 | 15.1% |
| 2023 | 12,721 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 12,679 | 16.6% |
| 2025 | 12,420 | 16.9% |
What to check before buying a 2014 A5
Before buying a 2014 Audi A5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.9% 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.
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 A5s pass their MOT?
84.5% of the 63,243 2014 Audi A5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Audi A5?
Tyres, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (4.7%).
Does the 2014 A5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 18.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 63,243 MOT tests. 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.