Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2012 Audi S5?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2012 Audi S5?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2012 Audi S5?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2012 Audi S5 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2012 Audi S5 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 204 vehicles, the 2012 Audi S5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 87.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2012 Audi S5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2012 Audi S5 are: Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (36.9% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (36.9% of vehicles), Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (35.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2012 Audi S5?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Audi S5 (2012)

204 real MOT outcomes analysed • 87.8% first-time pass rate

2012 Audi S5

CarHunch analysed 204 real MOT records for the 2012 Audi S5. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2012 Audi S5 passes its MOT first time 87.8% of the time, which is comfortably above the UK average of 80%—a solid result for a 12-year-old performance car. However, 35.8% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly higher than typical and worth taking seriously when buying used.

These S5s are running at a sensible 56,580 miles median (roughly 4,700 per year), suggesting careful ownership overall, yet they still average 1.36 failures and 9.4 advisories per test, pointing to wear in the suspension, brakes, and cooling systems typical of high-strung engines. Get a pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system and suspension geometry before committing, and factor in premium servicing costs given the performance pedigree.

We have limited data for the 2012 Audi S5 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

87.8%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.8%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

1.36

Over 10.3 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

57k

Middle half: 43k–70k

For context

These stats describe 204 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 204 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Brake wear 36.9%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 35.4%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Oil leak, but not excessive · …

Tyre wear 31.9%

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Suspension & steering 10.8%

Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

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 204 Audi S5 cars.

Before you buy a 2012 Audi S5

Based on MOT data from 204 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.8% 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.
🔍 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (100%)	203	87.9%	1.36

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,967 Audi S5 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 43%

846

White 16.1%

317

Grey 15.3%

301

Blue 15.1%

298

Silver 5.5%

109

Red 4.1%

Green 0.4%

Purple 0.4%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2012 Audi S5 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.

56,580

typical

42,572

low mileage

70,400

high mileage

Half of all 2012 Audi S5 vehicles fall between 42,572 and 70,400 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 42,572 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 42,572–70,400 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2012 Audi S5s sit.

⚠ Over 95,040 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2012 Audi S5 — Still on the Road

Most 2012 Audi S5s are still being driven.

138 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 74% 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

10.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

1.36

Avg failures per vehicle

9.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi S5: All S5 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2012 Audi S5 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing