2021 Audi Q5 Sport 40 TDI Mhev Quat S-A 2.0L Diesel · MM21 WRW

A 2021 Audi Q5 Sport 40 TDI MHEV quattro S-tronic with three consecutive pass entries on its MOT record and zero advisories or defects recorded at the most recent test on 18 February 2026 presents an outwardly clean roadworthiness profile. That said, the absence of any documented advisories on a five-year-old vehicle with this kind of mileage is itself worth scrutinising rather than taking at face value. Advisories are advisory only, and a fastidious MOT station or a less observant one can produce very different paper trails on the same car. Mechanically, the consistent pass pattern does at least confirm the brake performance, emissions output, suspension condition, tyre tread depth, lighting, and structural integrity were all judged to meet the minimum statutory thresholds on each visit, with no deterioration recorded between 2024 and 2026. The recorded 63,894 miles against a five-year age equates to roughly 12,800 miles per year, which is a notably high accumulation for a premium SUV of this class. Diesel MHEV Q5s in particular tend to suffer from short urban cycles on their AdBlue systems, diesel particulate filters, and dual-mass flywheels, so higher annual mileage on longer runs is generally less mechanically hostile than low mileage with frequent cold starts. However, the elevated mileage does place proportionally more wear on the front and rear brake discs and pads, the quattro drivetrain propshaft and rear differential, the S-tronic clutch pack and mechatronic unit, and the suspension bushes, top mounts, and coil springs. Buyers should also be alert to the absence of a pre-2024 test in the records, which could indicate the vehicle was either registered late, off the road, or had its mileage history not captured before its first appearance on the system, and this should be reconciled with the V5C and service book. With no specific advisories to chase, the inspection priorities on this particular Q5 should logically focus on the components most likely to have reached end-of-life at this mileage band. On a test drive, listen for clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps and rougher tarmac, which would point to worn control arm bushings, anti-roll bar drop links, or top mount bearings, and feel for any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel that might suggest track rod or tie rod wear. Apply the brakes firmly from speed and check for pedal pulsation, pulling to one side, or a delayed response, all of which would indicate warped front discs, a binding caliper, or a flexible brake hose nearing failure, and inspect the visible underbody brake pipes and fuel lines for any surface corrosion or stone chipping that could develop into an advisory at the next test. Given the diesel mild-hybrid powertrain, a buyer should also pay particular attention to how the S-tronic gearbox behaves during a warm test drive, specifically any shudder on pull-away, delayed engagement when shifting from neutral to drive or reverse, or a flare between ratios that could indicate mechatronic wear or clutch slip. Listen under load for any diesel knock or timing chain rattle from the 2.0 TDI engine, and check for oil misting around the cam cover and turbo oil feed lines where these units commonly seep. Verify that the AdBlue system has no warning messages present, that the DPF has not triggered a regeneration cycle during the test drive, and that the four-wheel-drive system pulls cleanly in a straight line without vibration that could suggest propshaft universal joint or centre coupling wear.