2021 Audi Sq5 — MOT failures & pass rate
925 MOT tests on the 2021 Audi Sq5 are in this dataset, and 94.0% of them passed. All cars of a similar age fail 8.7% of the time, so this is 2.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.4%) and lighting & signalling (1.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plates and brake pads — tread depth alone was recorded 15 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 10.6% once past 60-90k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.4% | 31 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 10 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.0% | 9 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.5% | 5 |
| 5 | Visibility | 0.5% | 5 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 3 |
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 | 15 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 9 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 6 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 5 | Wipers | 3 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 3 |
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 | 13.3% | 123 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.3% | 114 |
| 3 | Other defects | 6.0% | 56 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.0% | 28 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.4% | 13 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 5 |
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 | 407 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 470 | 5.7% |
| 60-90k | 47 | 10.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 465 | 5.6% |
| 2025 | 454 | 6.4% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Sq5
On a 2021 Sq5, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.4% 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 (1.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 Sq5s pass their MOT?
94.0% of the 925 2021 Audi Sq5 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Sq5?
Tyres, recorded in 3.4% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.1%).
Does the 2021 Sq5 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 10.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 925 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.