Audi Q5 (2018)
2018 Audi Q5
CarHunch analysed 13,659 real MOT records for the 2018 Audi Q5. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2018 Audi Q5 is a reliable proposition, with an 88.7% first-time pass rate that beats the UK average of 80%, and petrol variants perform slightly better at 90.2% versus diesels at 87.4%. However, 15.5% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is worth factoring into your inspection checklist.
These Q5s are running modest mileage for their age—a median of 45,578 miles suggests careful use—and most pass with only 0.54 failures per vehicle on average, though advisories average 4.7, indicating minor wear items rather than structural problems. Before purchasing, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the common advisory areas (likely suspension and brake components) and request full service history to confirm maintenance has kept pace with that relatively low mileage.
What to check before buying a 2018 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.
- 📄 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 (54%) | 7,341 | 87.4% | 0.57 |
| Petrol (46%) | 6,317 | 90.2% | 0.52 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2018 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.
Half of all 2018 Audi Q5 vehicles fall between 36,118 and 57,399 miles.
2018 Audi Q5 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 12,570 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2021–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2018 Audi Q5
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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36.5%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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33.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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33.8%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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26.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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24.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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18.8%
Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt ()
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12.5%
Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2018. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Audi Q5?
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