Audi Q5 (2016)

11,634 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90.2% first-time pass rate

2016 Audi Q5

CarHunch analysed 11,634 real MOT records for the 2016 Audi Q5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2016 Audi Q5 is significantly more reliable than the UK average, with a 90.1% first-time MOT pass rate well above the 80% benchmark—but nearly a quarter of these vehicles have recorded dangerous defects, which is a material concern for any buyer. Diesel and petrol variants perform similarly (90.2% and 89.2% respectively), so fuel choice won't move the needle on reliability.

At 55,000 miles median, these Q5s are running fairly low mileage for their age, yet they're already averaging 0.85 failures and 7.5 advisories per test, suggesting wear issues crop up even on lightly-used examples. Before purchasing, get a pre-buy inspection that specifically examines brake systems, suspension, and electrical components—the high advisory count points to these as common problem areas.

Average reliability 10.2% above UK average
90.2%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
55,103
typical mileage
43,608–67,865 middle half
24.3%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.85
avg MOT failures per car
over 7.6 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2016 Audi Q5

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.
  • ⚠️ 24.3% 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 Q5

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 (94%) 10,891 90.2% 0.85
Petrol (6%) 740 89.2% 0.94
Diesel (0%) 3 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2016 Audi Q5 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.

43,608
low mileage
55,103
typical
67,865
high mileage

Half of all 2016 Audi Q5 vehicles fall between 43,608 and 67,865 miles.

2016 Audi Q5 — Still on the Road

Strong survival — 10,743 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 97% of the peak.

11,080 10,743 2019 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2019–2025.

MOT History Averages

7.6
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.85
Avg failures per vehicle
7.5
Avg advisories per vehicle

Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 Audi Q5

Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.

  • 36.5%
    Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 33.9%
    Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 33.8%
    Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 28.5%
    Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
  • 26.8%
    Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 24.6%
    Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
  • 18.8%
    Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
  • 12.5%
    Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. Counts include advisories and failures.

Found a specific Audi Q5?

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

UK

Other model years — Audi Q5:

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022