diff --git a/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c b/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c
index e52f45c7c3d1a..fbdf710d5eea0 100644
--- a/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c
+++ b/tools/perf/tests/parse-events.c
@@ -162,6 +162,22 @@ static int test__checkevent_numeric(struct evlist *evlist)
 	return TEST_OK;
 }
 
+
+static int assert_hw(struct perf_evsel *evsel, enum perf_hw_id id, const char *name)
+{
+	struct perf_pmu *pmu;
+
+	if (evsel->attr.type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE) {
+		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_perf_config(evsel, id));
+		return 0;
+	}
+	pmu = perf_pmus__find_by_type(evsel->attr.type);
+
+	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("unexpected PMU type", pmu);
+	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("PMU missing event", perf_pmu__have_event(pmu, name));
+	return 0;
+}
+
 static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
 	struct perf_evsel *evsel;
@@ -169,10 +185,12 @@ static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 0 != evlist->core.nr_entries);
 
 	perf_evlist__for_each_evsel(&evlist->core, evsel) {
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config",
-				test_perf_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS));
+		int ret = assert_hw(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS, "instructions");
+
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
 	}
+
 	return TEST_OK;
 }
 
@@ -183,8 +201,10 @@ static int test__checkevent_symbolic_name_config(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries", 0 != evlist->core.nr_entries);
 
 	perf_evlist__for_each_evsel(&evlist->core, evsel) {
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_perf_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		int ret = assert_hw(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
 		/*
 		 * The period value gets configured within evlist__config,
 		 * while this test executes only parse events method.
@@ -861,10 +881,14 @@ static int test__group1(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist__nr_groups(evlist) == num_core_entries());
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* instructions:k */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS, "instructions");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -878,8 +902,10 @@ static int test__group1(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cycles:upp */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -907,6 +933,8 @@ static int test__group2(struct evlist *evlist)
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of groups", 1 == evlist__nr_groups(evlist));
 
 	evlist__for_each_entry(evlist, evsel) {
+		int ret;
+
 		if (evsel->core.attr.type == PERF_TYPE_SOFTWARE) {
 			/* faults + :ku modifier */
 			leader = evsel;
@@ -939,8 +967,10 @@ static int test__group2(struct evlist *evlist)
 			continue;
 		}
 		/* cycles:k */
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -957,6 +987,7 @@ static int test__group2(struct evlist *evlist)
 static int test__group3(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 {
 	struct evsel *evsel, *group1_leader = NULL, *group2_leader = NULL;
+	int ret;
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries",
 			evlist->core.nr_entries == (3 * perf_pmus__num_core_pmus() + 2));
@@ -1045,8 +1076,10 @@ static int test__group3(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 			continue;
 		}
 		/* instructions:u */
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS, "instructions");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1070,10 +1103,14 @@ static int test__group4(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 			num_core_entries() == evlist__nr_groups(evlist));
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles:u + p */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1089,8 +1126,10 @@ static int test__group4(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 
 		/* instructions:kp + p */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS, "instructions");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1108,6 +1147,7 @@ static int test__group4(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 static int test__group5(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 {
 	struct evsel *evsel = NULL, *leader;
+	int ret;
 
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong number of entries",
 			evlist->core.nr_entries == (5 * num_core_entries()));
@@ -1117,8 +1157,10 @@ static int test__group5(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
 		/* cycles + G */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1133,8 +1175,10 @@ static int test__group5(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 
 		/* instructions + G */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS, "instructions");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1148,8 +1192,10 @@ static int test__group5(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
 		/* cycles:G */
 		evsel = leader = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1164,8 +1210,10 @@ static int test__group5(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 
 		/* instructions:G */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS, "instructions");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1178,8 +1226,10 @@ static int test__group5(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
 		/* cycles */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1201,10 +1251,14 @@ static int test__group_gh1(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist__nr_groups(evlist) == num_core_entries());
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles + :H group modifier */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1218,8 +1272,10 @@ static int test__group_gh1(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cache-misses:G + :H group modifier */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES, "cache-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1242,10 +1298,14 @@ static int test__group_gh2(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist__nr_groups(evlist) == num_core_entries());
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles + :G group modifier */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1259,8 +1319,10 @@ static int test__group_gh2(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cache-misses:H + :G group modifier */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES, "cache-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1283,10 +1345,14 @@ static int test__group_gh3(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist__nr_groups(evlist) == num_core_entries());
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles:G + :u group modifier */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1300,8 +1366,10 @@ static int test__group_gh3(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cache-misses:H + :u group modifier */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES, "cache-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1324,10 +1392,14 @@ static int test__group_gh4(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist__nr_groups(evlist) == num_core_entries());
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles:G + :uG group modifier */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1341,8 +1413,10 @@ static int test__group_gh4(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cache-misses:H + :uG group modifier */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES, "cache-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1363,10 +1437,14 @@ static int test__leader_sample1(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist->core.nr_entries == (3 * num_core_entries()));
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles - sampling group leader */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1379,8 +1457,10 @@ static int test__leader_sample1(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cache-misses - not sampling */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES, "cache-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1392,8 +1472,10 @@ static int test__leader_sample1(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* branch-misses - not sampling */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES, "branch-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1415,10 +1497,14 @@ static int test__leader_sample2(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 			evlist->core.nr_entries == (2 * num_core_entries()));
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* instructions - sampling group leader */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_INSTRUCTIONS, "instructions");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1431,8 +1517,10 @@ static int test__leader_sample2(struct evlist *evlist __maybe_unused)
 
 		/* branch-misses - not sampling */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES, "branch-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", !evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_hv", evsel->core.attr.exclude_hv);
@@ -1472,10 +1560,14 @@ static int test__pinned_group(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist->core.nr_entries == (3 * num_core_entries()));
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles - group leader */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong group name", !evsel->group_name);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong leader", evsel__has_leader(evsel, leader));
 		/* TODO: The group modifier is not copied to the split group leader. */
@@ -1484,13 +1576,18 @@ static int test__pinned_group(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cache-misses - can not be pinned, but will go on with the leader */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES, "cache-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong pinned", !evsel->core.attr.pinned);
 
 		/* branch-misses - ditto */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES, "branch-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong pinned", !evsel->core.attr.pinned);
 	}
 	return TEST_OK;
@@ -1517,10 +1614,14 @@ static int test__exclusive_group(struct evlist *evlist)
 			evlist->core.nr_entries == 3 * num_core_entries());
 
 	for (int i = 0; i < num_core_entries(); i++) {
+		int ret;
+
 		/* cycles - group leader */
 		evsel = leader = (i == 0 ? evlist__first(evlist) : evsel__next(evsel));
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong group name", !evsel->group_name);
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong leader", evsel__has_leader(evsel, leader));
 		/* TODO: The group modifier is not copied to the split group leader. */
@@ -1529,13 +1630,18 @@ static int test__exclusive_group(struct evlist *evlist)
 
 		/* cache-misses - can not be pinned, but will go on with the leader */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE == evsel->core.attr.type);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CACHE_MISSES, "cache-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclusive", !evsel->core.attr.exclusive);
 
 		/* branch-misses - ditto */
 		evsel = evsel__next(evsel);
-		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES));
+		ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_BRANCH_MISSES, "branch-misses");
+		if (ret)
+			return ret;
+
 		TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclusive", !evsel->core.attr.exclusive);
 	}
 	return TEST_OK;
@@ -1677,9 +1783,11 @@ static int test__checkevent_raw_pmu(struct evlist *evlist)
 static int test__sym_event_slash(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
 	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
+	int ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+
+	if (ret)
+		return ret;
 
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", evsel->core.attr.type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE);
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_kernel", evsel->core.attr.exclude_kernel);
 	return TEST_OK;
 }
@@ -1687,9 +1795,11 @@ static int test__sym_event_slash(struct evlist *evlist)
 static int test__sym_event_dc(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
 	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
+	int ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+
+	if (ret)
+		return ret;
 
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", evsel->core.attr.type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE);
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong exclude_user", evsel->core.attr.exclude_user);
 	return TEST_OK;
 }
@@ -1697,9 +1807,11 @@ static int test__sym_event_dc(struct evlist *evlist)
 static int test__term_equal_term(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
 	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
+	int ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+
+	if (ret)
+		return ret;
 
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", evsel->core.attr.type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE);
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong name setting", strcmp(evsel->name, "name") == 0);
 	return TEST_OK;
 }
@@ -1707,9 +1819,11 @@ static int test__term_equal_term(struct evlist *evlist)
 static int test__term_equal_legacy(struct evlist *evlist)
 {
 	struct evsel *evsel = evlist__first(evlist);
+	int ret = assert_hw(&evsel->core, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES, "cycles");
+
+	if (ret)
+		return ret;
 
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong type", evsel->core.attr.type == PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE);
-	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong config", test_config(evsel, PERF_COUNT_HW_CPU_CYCLES));
 	TEST_ASSERT_VAL("wrong name setting", strcmp(evsel->name, "l1d") == 0);
 	return TEST_OK;
 }
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
index aa2f5c6fc7fc2..66eabcea42427 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/parse-events.c
@@ -976,7 +976,7 @@ static int config_term_pmu(struct perf_event_attr *attr,
 			   struct parse_events_error *err)
 {
 	if (term->type_term == PARSE_EVENTS__TERM_TYPE_LEGACY_CACHE) {
-		const struct perf_pmu *pmu = perf_pmus__find_by_type(attr->type);
+		struct perf_pmu *pmu = perf_pmus__find_by_type(attr->type);
 
 		if (!pmu) {
 			char *err_str;
@@ -986,15 +986,23 @@ static int config_term_pmu(struct perf_event_attr *attr,
 							   err_str, /*help=*/NULL);
 			return -EINVAL;
 		}
-		if (perf_pmu__supports_legacy_cache(pmu)) {
+		/*
+		 * Rewrite the PMU event to a legacy cache one unless the PMU
+		 * doesn't support legacy cache events or the event is present
+		 * within the PMU.
+		 */
+		if (perf_pmu__supports_legacy_cache(pmu) &&
+		    !perf_pmu__have_event(pmu, term->config)) {
 			attr->type = PERF_TYPE_HW_CACHE;
 			return parse_events__decode_legacy_cache(term->config, pmu->type,
 								 &attr->config);
-		} else
+		} else {
 			term->type_term = PARSE_EVENTS__TERM_TYPE_USER;
+			term->no_value = true;
+		}
 	}
 	if (term->type_term == PARSE_EVENTS__TERM_TYPE_HARDWARE) {
-		const struct perf_pmu *pmu = perf_pmus__find_by_type(attr->type);
+		struct perf_pmu *pmu = perf_pmus__find_by_type(attr->type);
 
 		if (!pmu) {
 			char *err_str;
@@ -1004,10 +1012,19 @@ static int config_term_pmu(struct perf_event_attr *attr,
 							   err_str, /*help=*/NULL);
 			return -EINVAL;
 		}
-		attr->type = PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE;
-		attr->config = term->val.num;
-		if (perf_pmus__supports_extended_type())
-			attr->config |= (__u64)pmu->type << PERF_PMU_TYPE_SHIFT;
+		/*
+		 * If the PMU has a sysfs or json event prefer it over
+		 * legacy. ARM requires this.
+		 */
+		if (perf_pmu__have_event(pmu, term->config)) {
+			term->type_term = PARSE_EVENTS__TERM_TYPE_USER;
+			term->no_value = true;
+		} else {
+			attr->type = PERF_TYPE_HARDWARE;
+			attr->config = term->val.num;
+			if (perf_pmus__supports_extended_type())
+				attr->config |= (__u64)pmu->type << PERF_PMU_TYPE_SHIFT;
+		}
 		return 0;
 	}
 	if (term->type_term == PARSE_EVENTS__TERM_TYPE_USER ||
@@ -1381,6 +1398,7 @@ int parse_events_add_pmu(struct parse_events_state *parse_state,
 	YYLTYPE *loc = loc_;
 	LIST_HEAD(config_terms);
 	struct parse_events_terms parsed_terms;
+	bool alias_rewrote_terms = false;
 
 	pmu = parse_state->fake_pmu ?: perf_pmus__find(name);
 
@@ -1433,7 +1451,15 @@ int parse_events_add_pmu(struct parse_events_state *parse_state,
 		return evsel ? 0 : -ENOMEM;
 	}
 
-	if (!parse_state->fake_pmu && perf_pmu__check_alias(pmu, &parsed_terms, &info, err)) {
+	/* Configure attr/terms with a known PMU, this will set hardcoded terms. */
+	if (config_attr(&attr, &parsed_terms, parse_state->error, config_term_pmu)) {
+		parse_events_terms__exit(&parsed_terms);
+		return -EINVAL;
+	}
+
+	/* Look for event names in the terms and rewrite into format based terms. */
+	if (!parse_state->fake_pmu && perf_pmu__check_alias(pmu, &parsed_terms,
+							    &info, &alias_rewrote_terms, err)) {
 		parse_events_terms__exit(&parsed_terms);
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
@@ -1447,11 +1473,9 @@ int parse_events_add_pmu(struct parse_events_state *parse_state,
 		strbuf_release(&sb);
 	}
 
-	/*
-	 * Configure hardcoded terms first, no need to check
-	 * return value when called with fail == 0 ;)
-	 */
-	if (config_attr(&attr, &parsed_terms, parse_state->error, config_term_pmu)) {
+	/* Configure attr/terms again if an alias was expanded. */
+	if (alias_rewrote_terms &&
+	    config_attr(&attr, &parsed_terms, parse_state->error, config_term_pmu)) {
 		parse_events_terms__exit(&parsed_terms);
 		return -EINVAL;
 	}
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/pmu.c b/tools/perf/util/pmu.c
index d3c9aa4326bee..3c9609944a2f3 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/pmu.c
+++ b/tools/perf/util/pmu.c
@@ -1494,12 +1494,14 @@ static int check_info_data(struct perf_pmu *pmu,
  * defined for the alias
  */
 int perf_pmu__check_alias(struct perf_pmu *pmu, struct parse_events_terms *head_terms,
-			  struct perf_pmu_info *info, struct parse_events_error *err)
+			  struct perf_pmu_info *info, bool *rewrote_terms,
+			  struct parse_events_error *err)
 {
 	struct parse_events_term *term, *h;
 	struct perf_pmu_alias *alias;
 	int ret;
 
+	*rewrote_terms = false;
 	info->per_pkg = false;
 
 	/*
@@ -1521,7 +1523,7 @@ int perf_pmu__check_alias(struct perf_pmu *pmu, struct parse_events_terms *head_
 						NULL);
 			return ret;
 		}
-
+		*rewrote_terms = true;
 		ret = check_info_data(pmu, alias, info, err, term->err_term);
 		if (ret)
 			return ret;
@@ -1615,6 +1617,8 @@ bool perf_pmu__auto_merge_stats(const struct perf_pmu *pmu)
 
 bool perf_pmu__have_event(struct perf_pmu *pmu, const char *name)
 {
+	if (!name)
+		return false;
 	if (perf_pmu__find_alias(pmu, name, /*load=*/ true) != NULL)
 		return true;
 	if (pmu->cpu_aliases_added || !pmu->events_table)
diff --git a/tools/perf/util/pmu.h b/tools/perf/util/pmu.h
index d2895d415f08f..424c3fee09496 100644
--- a/tools/perf/util/pmu.h
+++ b/tools/perf/util/pmu.h
@@ -201,7 +201,8 @@ int perf_pmu__config_terms(const struct perf_pmu *pmu,
 __u64 perf_pmu__format_bits(struct perf_pmu *pmu, const char *name);
 int perf_pmu__format_type(struct perf_pmu *pmu, const char *name);
 int perf_pmu__check_alias(struct perf_pmu *pmu, struct parse_events_terms *head_terms,
-			  struct perf_pmu_info *info, struct parse_events_error *err);
+			  struct perf_pmu_info *info, bool *rewrote_terms,
+			  struct parse_events_error *err);
 int perf_pmu__find_event(struct perf_pmu *pmu, const char *event, void *state, pmu_event_callback cb);
 
 int perf_pmu__format_parse(struct perf_pmu *pmu, int dirfd, bool eager_load);