Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Audi Q5?

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?

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?

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 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 134 vehicles, the 2021 Audi Q5 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 93.3%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2021 Audi Q5?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2021 Audi Q5 are: Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (24.6% of vehicles), Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22.5% of vehicles), Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (21.3% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 Audi Q5?

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 Q5 (2021)

134 real MOT outcomes analysed • 93.3% first-time pass rate

2021 Audi Q5

CarHunch analysed 134 real MOT records for the 2021 Audi Q5. 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 Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2021 Audi Q5 is performing well above the UK average with a 92.6% first-time pass rate compared to 80% nationally, and only 6.7% of vehicles have ever recorded a dangerous defect—well below the typical concern threshold. This is a genuinely reliable car for its age and price point.

At 36,198 miles median for a three-year-old vehicle, these Q5s are running bang on typical mileage expectations, and with just 0.19 failures per vehicle on average, owners aren't facing unexpected repair bills. Before you buy, have a pre-purchase inspection done anyway because 1.2 advisories per car suggests minor wear items crop up—but this is a safe bet for the money.

We have limited data for the 2021 Audi Q5 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

93.3%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

6.7%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.19

Over 2.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

36k

Middle half: 28k–45k

For context

These stats describe 134 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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What tends to go wrong

Across 134 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 24.6%

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 21.3%

Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 11.7%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view · …

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 134 Audi Q5 cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Audi Q5

Based on MOT data from 134 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 6.7% 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 (57%)	77	95.3%	0.16

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Audi Q5 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.

36,198

typical

28,130

low mileage

45,217

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Audi Q5 vehicles fall between 28,130 and 45,217 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 28,130 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.

✓ 28,130–45,217 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Audi Q5s sit.

⚠ Over 61,042 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2021 Audi Q5 — Still on the Road

Almost all 2021 Audi Q5s are still on the road.

Strong survival — 120 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.19

Avg failures per vehicle

1.2

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi Q5: All Q5 years → Which year to buy? →

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022

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Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Audi Q5 stacks up against a rival.

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