Used car guide

2011 Audi Q5: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Audi Q5s, from 5,266 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

5,266MOT tests in 2025
72%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,600typical miles a year
3.9×the usual rate for drive shaft (cv) joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Audi Q5s than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.9× usual
    Audi Q5
    18.6% All 2011 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.3× usual
    Audi Q5
    24.3% All 2011 cars
    10.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 2.3% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Steering rack inner joints2× usual
    Audi Q5
    5.1% All 2011 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Coil springs: 4.1% here, against 10.3% of all 2011 cars. Number plate lights: 2.2% here, against 8.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Audi Q5 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    37% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    28% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    20% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    19% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

  • Lights and electrics
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    7% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Looking at a Audi Q5?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20229,579Tyres 21%
202111,441Tyres 22%
20208,777Tyres 23%
201911,980Tyres 24%
201813,079Tyres 23%
20179,966Tyres 24%
201611,167Tyres 27%
201510,383Tyres 27%
20148,541Tyres 28%
20136,001Suspension 30%
20124,436Suspension 32%
20103,453Suspension 43%
20093,548Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Audi Q5s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score