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Audi A1 vs Audi A5 tdi: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Audi A1
84%
MOT pass rate · 235,482 vehicles
Audi A5 tdi
86%
MOT pass rate · 106 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Audi A5 tdi is the more reliable of the two — 86% pass first time versus 84%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Audi A1 Audi A5 tdi
MOT pass rate 84% 86%
MOT failure rate 16% 14%
Faults & advisories per test 1.5 0.0
Dangerous-fault share 5% 38%
Average mileage 67,791 mi 177,982 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 235,482 106

Most common faults

Audi A1

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))
  4. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  6. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Audi A5 tdi

  1. Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. COVID-19 6 MONTH EXTENSION
  5. 245/40ZR18
  6. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge INNER GROOVE IS JUST ABOVE THE TREAD WEAR BARS (5.2.3 (e))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate, the Audi A5 tdi is the more reliable of the two — 86% pass first time versus 84%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Audi A1 report Full Audi A5 tdi report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.