Audi A5 (2012)
2012 Audi A5
CarHunch analysed 11,710 real MOT records for the 2012 Audi A5.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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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.
The 2012 Audi A5 has a decent first-time pass rate (84.2%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 11,710 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
What tends to go wrong
Across 11,710 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2012.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 11,710 Audi A5 cars.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
Before you buy a 2012 Audi A5
Based on MOT data from 11,710 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
43.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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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 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 140,566 Audi A5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Audi A5 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle 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
Most 2012 Audi A5s are still being driven.
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.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
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Compare with another model
See how the 2012 Audi A5 stacks up against a rival.