2021 Audi Q5 S Line 50 E Sa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,444 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 50 E Sa, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, body, structure & corrosion and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 93.3% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.3% in the 90-120k group versus 5.2% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 110 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.4% | 33 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 30 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 19 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 8 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.3% | 6 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 87 |
| 2 | Joints | 36 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 4 | Washers | 12 |
| 5 | Rear fog lamp | 8 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 20.3% | 495 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.9% | 168 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.5% | 60 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.2% | 53 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.2% | 30 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 17 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,080 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 1,138 | 7.4% |
| 60-90k | 190 | 10.5% |
| 90-120k | 35 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,213 | 6.8% |
| 2025 | 1,220 | 6.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Q5 S Line 50 E Sa
Before buying a 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 50 E Sa, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 4.5% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (4.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Body, structure & corrosion (1.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Lighting & signalling (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 50 E Sas pass their MOT?
93.3% of the 2,444 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 50 E Sa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Q5 S Line 50 E Sa?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (1.4%).
Does the 2021 Q5 S Line 50 E Sa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 14.3% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,444 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.