Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI (2012)

124 real MOT outcomes analysed • 50.3% first-time pass rate

2012 Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI

CarHunch analysed 124 real MOT records for the 2012 Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

This 2012 Audi A5 TDI is a reliability concern: only 50.3% pass MOT on the first attempt, compared to the UK average of 80%, and it carries a median CarHunch score of 50 out of 100. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so while these cars need attention, they're not safety nightmares.

With nearly 100,000 miles on the clock (median 96,481), these are well-used examples, yet they average only 0.51 failures per test—suggesting most pass eventually after minor repairs rather than needing major work. If you're considering one, budget for a pre-purchase inspection by a diesel specialist and expect to address at least one fault before it's road-ready.

Below average reliability 29.7% below UK average
50.3%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
96,481
typical mileage
77,171–117,886 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.51
avg MOT failures per car
over 3.7 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2012 Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

77,171
low mileage
96,481
typical
117,886
high mileage

Half of all 2012 Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI vehicles fall between 77,171 and 117,886 miles.

2012 Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 52 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

28 52 2017 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.

MOT History Averages

3.7
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.51
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Audi A5 S Line Black Edition TDI:

2013 2014