2016 Audi A5 MOT pass rate: 82.5% (24,709 tests)
Is the 2016 A5 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2016-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 82.9% -0.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 82.8% +1.6 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 81.7% +2.1 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2016 A5
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3,399 | 42.7% |
| 2 | Suspension | 1,398 | 17.5% |
| 3 | Brakes | 1,017 | 12.8% |
| 4 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 651 | 8.2% |
| 5 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 479 | 6.0% |
| 6 | Visibility | 390 | 4.9% |
All A5 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 3,958 | 76.0% | +10.9 pts | 137,779 |
| 2008 | 11,637 | 74.4% | +9.3 pts | 130,076 |
| 2009 | 17,266 | 75.0% | +8.6 pts | 121,659 |
| 2010 | 29,772 | 75.0% | +7.6 pts | 116,464 |
| 2011 | 28,468 | 76.1% | +6.9 pts | 108,625 |
| 2012 | 27,443 | 78.2% | +7.0 pts | 103,399 |
| 2013 | 31,522 | 78.5% | +5.1 pts | 96,444 |
| 2014 | 31,639 | 80.6% | +4.8 pts | 88,280 |
| 2015 | 30,666 | 82.1% | +3.3 pts | 78,499 |
| 2016 (this page) | 24,709 | 82.5% | +1.1 pts | 69,062 |
| 2017 | 41,424 | 84.0% | -0.0 pts | 59,706 |
| 2018 | 33,784 | 85.8% | -0.5 pts | 48,649 |
| 2019 | 29,370 | 87.4% | -1.0 pts | 39,116 |
| 2020 | 6,674 | 88.9% | -1.0 pts | 31,488 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Audi A5 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2016 Audi A5 reliable?
2016-registered examples passed 82.5% of their MOT tests (24,709 tests, 2023–2025), +1.1 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 10 years old with a median 69,062 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2016 A5?
The median tested example shows 69,062 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2016 A5?
In this cohort petrols pass 85.3% of tests against 81.5% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.