Common problems by part
Audi A5 body and structure problems
DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 44,668 MOT tests · Updated
At 7 years, 0.5 in 100 MOT tests of the Audi A5 failed on body and structure, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 44,668 MOT tests) [1].
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- Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: fails less often than all class 4 vehicles the same age (0.3–0.4×) (all test years), 214 MOT tests with a fail
- By age: seen at 16 ages from 3 to 18 years, 501,056 MOT tests
- Most common fail: Driveshaft CV boot split, 0.3 per 100 MOT tests
Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.
What the MOT tests show
What we know
0.5 fails per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 7 (all test years). The Audi A5 fails less often here.
Why it matters
A body and structure fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.
What to check
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
Audi A5 body and structure fails by age
| Age | MOT tests | Fails per 100 | All class 4 vehicles the same age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 25,388 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 4 | 32,345 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 5 | 40,955 | 0.1 | 0.5 |
| 6 | 44,331 | 0.2 | 0.8 |
| 7 | 44,668 | 0.5 | 1.3 |
| 8 | 43,769 | 1.0 | 1.8 |
| 9 | 40,680 | 1.9 | 2.3 |
| 10 | 41,822 | 2.9 | 2.9 |
| 11 | 41,122 | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| 12 | 40,957 | 3.9 | 4.3 |
| 13 | 36,126 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| 14 | 30,653 | 3.8 | 5.9 |
| 15 | 21,395 | 4.3 | 6.7 |
| 16 | 10,841 | 4.6 | 7.6 |
| 17 | 4,836 | 5.0 | 8.3 |
| 18 | 1,168 | 4.0 | 8.7 |
All first-use years of the Audi A5 pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years.
What fails in the body and structure at 7 years
Fails
- Driveshaft CV boot split: 0.3 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.6. Replace CV joint boot: estimated £88–£196 (1–2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £10–£40) Drive shaft constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt MOT fail
Advisories (not fails)
- Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated: 0.2 advisories per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 0.5. Drive shaft constant velocity boot severely deteriorated (MOT minor defect)
Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.
Buying an Audi A5? Check that exact car before the viewing.
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- Model risks for this year and fuel
- What similar cars did at their next MOT
- Repairs ahead
- Viewing checklist
By engine and fuel
- 2.0 diesel: 0.8 per 100 at 7 years, about average for diesel class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 22,580 MOT tests)
- 2.0 petrol: 0.2 per 100 at 7 years, about average for petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 8,528 MOT tests)
How to check on a test drive
Look under the sills, jacking points and rear subframe for rot, bubbling or fresh underseal over a repair, and check every door, bonnet and boot shuts properly.
The most common advisory here in MOT records: Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot severely deteriorated.
Check one Audi A5, not the average
The figures here describe Audi A5 cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.
- Check an Audi A5's MOT history Every MOT test, fail item, advisory and mileage reading DVSA holds for that registration.
- MOT advisory checker Paste an advisory or defect to read DVSA's wording, its grade and what tends to happen at the next MOT.
Other Audi A5 problems
Body and structure on rival models
- Mercedes-Benz C-Class body and structure problems: 0.3 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 0.5 for the Audi A5 (143,293 MOT tests)
- Mercedes-Benz E-Class body and structure problems: 0.4 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 0.5 for the Audi A5 (87,925 MOT tests)
- Vauxhall Insignia body and structure problems: 1.1 per 100 MOT tests at 7 years, against 0.5 for the Audi A5 (81,746 MOT tests)
Questions people ask
Does the Audi A5 have more body and structure problems than other cars?
0.3 to 0.4 times the body and structure fail rate of all class 4 vehicles the same age at 7 years (all test years), from 44,668 MOT tests. The interval is clear of 0.8 in the same direction at 8 of the 16 ages seen (ages up to 18 with at least 100 MOT tests with a fail).
How common are Audi A5 body and structure problems?
0.5 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years failed on body and structure, against 1.3 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 44,668 MOT tests).
What is the most common Audi A5 body and structure fail?
0.3 in 100 MOT tests at 7 years: Driveshaft CV boot split (121 MOT tests with it).
Sources
- Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 501,056 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
- Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare