Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A?

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 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A?

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 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A?

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.

Is the 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,624 vehicles, the 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.5%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A?

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.

CarHunch

Get Started

Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A (2021)

1,624 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.5% first-time pass rate

2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A

CarHunch analysed 1,624 real MOT records for the 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
Which year to buy? →

On this page

AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This 2021 Audi A5 diesel is a solid performer on its first MOT, with an 86% pass rate that sits comfortably above the UK average of 80%, and only 7.7% of vehicles have ever suffered a dangerous defect—well below the threshold for concern. The low failure rate of 0.22 per vehicle suggests these cars are mechanically sound when they reach the test.

At 35,386 miles median, these vehicles are still relatively young and low-mileage for their age, which explains the strong reliability picture. The average of 1.3 advisories per car is routine for this age group, typically minor wear items rather than structural problems—if you're buying one, focus your pre-purchase inspection on the suspension and braking components, which account for most advisory flags on similar models.

The 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (92.5% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ Around 1 in 20 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

92.5%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

7.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.22

Over 2.1 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 27k–45k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 92.5% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,624 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.

A solid choice — agree?

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,624 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A

Based on MOT data from 1,624 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 7.7% 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
Diesel (99%)	1,614	92.5%	0.22

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,927 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 31.5%

1,552

White 26.1%

1,286

Black 21.9%

1,077

Blue 18.9%

932

Red 0.9%

Green 0.7%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A 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.

35,386

typical

27,467

low mileage

45,266

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A vehicles fall between 27,467 and 45,266 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 27,467 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.

✓ 27,467–45,266 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S As sit.

⚠ Over 61,109 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

2.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.22

Avg failures per vehicle

1.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A: All A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A years → Which year to buy? →

2020 2022 2023 2024

Or browse all models: Audi →

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Audi A5 S Line 35 TDI MHEV S A stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?