Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat 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 Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat 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 Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat 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 Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 3,861 vehicles, the 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 94.3%, 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 Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat 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 Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A (2021)

3,861 real MOT outcomes analysed • 94.3% first-time pass rate

2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A

CarHunch analysed 3,861 real MOT records for the 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat 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 Q5 diesel is significantly more reliable than the UK average, with a 91.3% first-time MOT pass rate against the 80% benchmark—a genuinely strong result that reflects careful engineering in this model year. The dangerous defect rate of 6.2% is acceptably low, suggesting structural and safety issues are uncommon in this cohort.

At 34,614 miles median mileage for a three-year-old vehicle, these cars are running well within typical usage expectations, and the data confirms why: owners encounter only 0.17 failures per car on average and 1.3 advisories, indicating few developing problems. Before purchase, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the diesel emissions system (AdBlue, DPF, NOx sensors), as these are the most common diesel-specific failure points even in reliable models.

The 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (94.3% 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

94.3%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

6.2%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.17

Over 2.1 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

35k

Middle half: 27k–43k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 94.3% 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 3,861 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 3,861 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A

Based on MOT data from 3,861 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 6.2% 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 (100%)	3,853	94.3%	0.17

Colour Breakdown

Based on 10,194 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 28.4%

2,900

Grey 27.8%

2,837

Blue 22.8%

2,327

White 13.3%

1,360

Silver 6.6%

669

Green 1%

101

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat 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.

34,614

typical

26,607

low mileage

43,309

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A vehicles fall between 26,607 and 43,309 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 26,607 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.

✓ 26,607–43,309 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S As sit.

⚠ Over 58,467 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

0.17

Avg failures per vehicle

1.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A: All Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat 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 Q5 S Line 40 TDI MHEV Quat S A stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?