2021 Audi Q5 — MOT failures & pass rate
24,940 MOT tests on the 2021 Audi Q5 are in this dataset, and 92.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests against 1.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — tread depth alone was recorded 644 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.3% in the 0-30k band and 11.0% in the 90-120k band, a 4.8-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 6.2% fail against 8.2% for diesel, a 2.0-point gap across 20,010 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 18.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 4.8% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 1,099 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 325 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 1.1% | 271 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.9% | 224 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.9% | 225 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 132 |
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 | 644 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 241 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 237 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 218 |
| 5 | Washers | 134 |
| 6 | Joints | 130 |
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 | 18.4% | 4,595 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.7% | 2,424 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.4% | 1,847 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.7% | 664 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.3% | 324 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 150 |
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 | 11,061 | 6.3% |
| 30-60k | 12,467 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 1,284 | 9.7% |
| 90-120k | 118 | 11.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 13,100 | 8.2% |
| Petrol | 6,910 | 6.2% |
| Hybrid | 4,930 | 6.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 358 | 4.8% |
| 2024 | 12,370 | 7.2% |
| 2025 | 12,185 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Q5
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.4% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (1.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 Q5s pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 24,940 2021 Audi Q5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Q5?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.3%).
Does the 2021 Q5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.3% in the 0-30k band to 11.0% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,940 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.