2009 Audi Q5 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 24,020 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Audi Q5, the most common recorded failure areas were body, structure & corrosion, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 78.6% was above the average for mid-size SUVs of a similar age (73.7%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 23.4% in the 150k+ group versus 6.3% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 2,228 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.0% | 2,174 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 8.7% | 2,092 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 862 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.5% | 832 |
| 6 | Brakes | 2.9% | 697 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 2,121 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,475 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 1,283 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 976 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 782 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 637 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 28.8% | 6,913 |
| 2 | Tyres | 25.3% | 6,081 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.1% | 4,592 |
| 4 | Other defects | 12.7% | 3,040 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 11.7% | 2,809 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 1,256 |
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 | 48 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 610 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 3,206 | 18.1% |
| 90-120k | 7,656 | 20.6% |
| 120-150k | 7,391 | 23.1% |
| 150k+ | 5,101 | 23.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 21,300 | 21.9% |
| Petrol | 2,720 | 17.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,084 | 20.5% |
| 2022 | 5,005 | 20.6% |
| 2023 | 4,849 | 21.5% |
| 2024 | 4,695 | 22.3% |
| 2025 | 4,387 | 22.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Q5
Before buying a 2009 Audi Q5, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Body, structure & corrosion accounted for 9.3% of tests for this year.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.3% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (9.0% 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 (8.7% 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
How many 2009 Audi Q5s pass their MOT?
78.6% of the 24,020 2009 Audi Q5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Audi Q5?
Body, structure & corrosion, recorded in 9.3% of tests, followed by suspension (9.0%).
Does the 2009 Q5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 23.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,020 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.