Audi E-Tron MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 5 model years and 43,721 tests, the Audi E-Tron passes its MOT 91.8% of the time. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 9.1%, so the E-Tron sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests against 1.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 1,246 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 7.3% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 12.2% once past 90-120k.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
By model year
Every E-Tron model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 4,359 | 91.4% | 8.6% | Tyres |
| 2020 | 17,004 | 92.2% | 7.8% | Tyres |
| 2021 | 15,651 | 91.7% | 8.3% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 6,558 | 91.3% | 8.7% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 149 | 92.0% | 8.1% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.6% | 2,885 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 499 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.0% | 456 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.5% | 213 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 101 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 100 |
| 7 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 66 |
| 8 | Suspension | 0.1% | 55 |
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 | 1,246 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 432 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 342 |
| 4 | Washers | 223 |
| 5 | Wipers | 217 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 107 |
| 7 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 85 |
| 8 | Attachment | 71 |
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 | 22.5% | 9,819 |
| 2 | Other defects | 8.3% | 3,616 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.6% | 1,575 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.0% | 1,294 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 354 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 147 |
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 | 18,794 | 7.3% |
| 30-60k | 21,832 | 8.7% |
| 60-90k | 2,811 | 9.5% |
| 90-120k | 247 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,204 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 7,102 | 7.8% |
| 2024 | 14,614 | 8.4% |
| 2025 | 20,788 | 8.1% |
What to check before buying a Audi E-Tron
- Tyres (6.6% 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.
- Visibility (1.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi E-Tron?
91.8% of the 43,721 Audi E-Tron MOT tests in this dataset passed, an 8.2% fail rate, across model years 2019–2023.
What does the Audi E-Tron most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, then lighting & signalling (1.1%).
How much does mileage affect E-Tron MOT results?
Fail rates run at 7.3% for cars in the 0-30k band and 12.2% for 90-120k, a 4.8-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 43,721 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.