2021 Audi E-Tron — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,651 MOT tests, the 2021 Audi E-Tron recorded a 91.7% pass rate. Large SUVs of a similar age fail at 8.9%, so the 2021 E-Tron sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.7% of all tests — 5.4 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 397 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 E-Tron fails 7.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.4% at 90-120k, a spread of only 0.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 22.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 6.1% of tests failed in 2023 against 7.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.7% | 1,041 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 194 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 184 |
| 4 | Other defects | 0.6% | 88 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 36 |
| 6 | Brakes | 0.2% | 34 |
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 | 397 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 187 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 138 |
| 4 | Washers | 94 |
| 5 | Wipers | 85 |
| 6 | Headlamp cleaning device | 34 |
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 | 22.0% | 3,448 |
| 2 | Other defects | 8.2% | 1,286 |
| 3 | Visibility | 3.4% | 528 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.5% | 394 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.5% | 78 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 46 |
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 | 6,604 | 7.7% |
| 30-60k | 7,994 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 961 | 9.9% |
| 90-120k | 81 | 7.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 263 | 6.1% |
| 2024 | 7,835 | 8.9% |
| 2025 | 7,552 | 7.6% |
What to check before buying a 2021 E-Tron
On a 2021 E-Tron, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.7% 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 (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% 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
How many 2021 Audi E-Trons pass their MOT?
91.7% of the 15,651 2021 Audi E-Tron MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi E-Tron?
Tyres, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2021 E-Tron get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.7% in the 0-30k band to 7.4% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,651 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.