Executive car · 2007–2021 cars

Audi S5 reliability

The Audi S5 fails 16.9% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 6,937 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 96/100#7 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Audi S5 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 16.9%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 51% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 6,937; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi S5 ages

Each point is the share of Audi S5s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi S5All cars

Audi S5 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi S5	All cars
3	11.3%	12.3%
8	17.5%	25.5%
9	11.7%	28.8%
10	13.5%	31.8%
11	15.3%	34.6%
12	16.4%	37.3%
13	20.9%	39.5%
14	20.6%	41.1%
15	16%	42.3%
16	25.3%	42.9%

By year

The best and worst Audi S5 years

2008 cars come out best and 2010 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi S5 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2020	662	11.5%	15% fewer fails	34,323
2014	435	12.6%	54% fewer fails	65,407
2013	466	13.1%	57% fewer fails	72,448
2012	670	14%	59% fewer fails	80,184
2011	908	16.1%	55% fewer fails	78,491
2010 S5	1,105	19.7%	50% fewer fails	91,767
2009	655	20.6%	50% fewer fails	90,728
2008 S5	1,114	19.6%	54% fewer fails	103,270
2007	510	23.1%	47% fewer fails	109,518

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi S5

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres6.4%7% below avg
Suspension4.1%67% below avg
Lights and electrics3.7%75% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.8%31% below avg
Brakes2.2%73% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.9%65% below avg
Body, chassis and structure0.8%82% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.6%52% above avg
Wheels0.5%20% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.66% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.46% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.31% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.17% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
5
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.04% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.92% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
7
Tyre bulge from structural failure 0.92% of tests
A bulge means the tyre's structure has failed and it could burst suddenly, so it must be replaced at once.
8
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.82% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi S5's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit9.41%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear7.58%
Brake pads wearing thin4.71%
Brake disc pitted or scored3.68%
Engine oil leak, not excessive3.39%
Shock absorber light oil misting2.75%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi S5

1
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi S5 covers about 8,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol89.1%
Diesel10.9%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, Blue, White, Red

Average engine size: 3.7 litres.

Compare

How the Audi S5 compares with its rivals

Audi S5 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
BMW M6	10.5%	59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW Alpina	16.1%	54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi S5	16.9%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi S4	15.6%	49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Lexus RC	9.6%	43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi Allroad	27.8%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Infiniti Q50	19.9%	15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi S5 questions, answered

Is the Audi S5 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi S5 is better than average: it fails 16.9% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 7 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi S5 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi S5 are tyre ply or cords exposed (1.66% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.46% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.31% of tests). By area, tyres fails 6.4% of its tests.

Which Audi S5 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2008 cars do best (54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2010 cars do worst (50% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi S5 do a year?

A typical Audi S5 covers about 8,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi S5 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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