The picture
A5 S Line 35 Tdi Mhev S-A: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 1,071 MOT tests, the A5 S Line 35 Tdi Mhev S-A returns 89.4% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is tyre tread under the limit. A seriously damaged tyre and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 28,419, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
34 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
22 occurrences · 2.1% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
17 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
13 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 05
An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
10 occurrences · 0.9% of tests
- 06
A tyre seriously damaged
9 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 07
Wiper blade defective
7 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
6 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 09
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
6 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 10
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£120–£190
If every one of this A5 S Line 35 Tdi Mhev S A's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a A5 S Line 35 Tdi Mhev S A?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a A5 S Line 35 Tdi Mhev S A and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.