Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA?

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 Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA?

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 Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA?

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 Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA reliable?

Based on MOT data from 712 vehicles, the 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA has a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.4%, 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 Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA?

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 A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA (2021)

712 real MOT outcomes analysed • 92.4% first-time pass rate

2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA

CarHunch analysed 712 real MOT records for the 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA. 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 Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

This A5 S Line is a strong performer, with a 91% first-time pass rate that comfortably beats the UK average of 80%—though the 13.6% dangerous defect rate is worth noting as a minor concern when evaluating used examples. The car is only covering modest mileage for its age at around 28,000 miles on average, which bodes well for longevity and explains the low failure rate of just 0.24 per vehicle.

With only 1.5 advisories per car on average, these are well-sorted, low-maintenance vehicles in the field—suggesting owners aren't battling recurring gremlins. If you're viewing one, get a pre-purchase inspection to rule out electrical or suspension work, since those are typical areas where used Audis can hide costs, but overall this cohort presents as a safe buy.

The 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (92.4% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ Around 1 in 8 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

92.4%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

13.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.24

Over 2.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

27k

Middle half: 19k–35k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 92.4% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 1.5 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 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 712 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.

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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 712 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA

Based on MOT data from 712 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 13.6% 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 (99%)	704	92.3%	0.24

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,162 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Grey 35.9%

417

Black 25.6%

298

Blue 21.8%

253

White 12.7%

148

Green 2%

Red 2%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA 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.

26,735

typical

18,676

low mileage

34,708

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA vehicles fall between 18,676 and 34,708 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 18,676 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.

✓ 18,676–34,708 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SAs sit.

⚠ Over 46,855 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

2.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.24

Avg failures per vehicle

1.5

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA: All A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA years → Which year to buy? →

2020

Or browse all models: Audi →

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Audi A5 S Line Ed 1 40 TFSI MHEV SA stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?