Audi A5 (2012)
2012 Audi A5
CarHunch analysed 11,710 real MOT records for the 2012 Audi A5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2012 Audi A5 passes its MOT first time at 84.2%, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%, but nearly 44% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a serious concern that suggests you need a pre-purchase inspection from a specialist. Petrol versions are slightly more reliable than diesels (86.1% vs 83.5% pass rate), though both are reasonably solid performers.
At an average mileage of 76,317 miles for a 12-year-old car, these A5s have been driven normally and typically need two repairs per MOT cycle alongside 13 advisories, pointing to wear that's age-appropriate but requires consistent maintenance. Before committing to a purchase, have a qualified Audi technician specifically check the brakes, suspension, and cooling system—these components historically cause the bulk of failures on this generation.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2012 Audi A5
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.
- ⚠️ 43.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (74%) | 8,692 | 83.5% | 2.09 |
| Petrol (26%) | 3,016 | 86.1% | 1.75 |
| Other (0%) | 1 | 50% | 1 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 78.6% | 3 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Audi A5 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.
Half of all 2012 Audi A5 vehicles fall between 60,769 and 99,146 miles.
2012 Audi A5 — Still on the Road
8,572 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 77% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2015–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2012 Audi A5
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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48.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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48.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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37.7%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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32.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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32.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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32%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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31.7%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.8%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Audi A5?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.