2018 Audi Q2 — MOT failures & pass rate
77,920 MOT tests on the 2018 Audi Q2 are in this dataset, and 92.9% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 9.8% of the time, so this is 2.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.2%) and brakes (2.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, brake pads and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 1,702 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.7% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 20.0% once past 150k — 4.3× the risk.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 6.9% of the time against 8.2% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 24.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 8.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.2% | 3,276 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.0% | 1,577 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 1,320 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.1% | 866 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 331 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 200 |
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 | 1,702 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 1,268 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 1,030 |
| 4 | Washers | 630 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 571 |
| 6 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 312 |
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 | 24.5% | 19,117 |
| 2 | Brakes | 18.8% | 14,655 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.8% | 6,043 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 2,749 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 2,181 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 325 |
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 | 31,728 | 4.7% |
| 30-60k | 36,356 | 8.2% |
| 60-90k | 8,617 | 10.8% |
| 90-120k | 1,075 | 12.1% |
| 120-150k | 111 | 7.2% |
| 150k+ | 30 | 20.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 63,733 | 6.9% |
| Diesel | 14,187 | 8.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,756 | 5.6% |
| 2022 | 15,502 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 15,548 | 7.0% |
| 2024 | 15,538 | 8.5% |
| 2025 | 15,576 | 8.5% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Q2
On a 2018 Q2, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.2% 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.
- Brakes (2.0% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 2018 Audi Q2s pass their MOT?
92.9% of the 77,920 2018 Audi Q2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Audi Q2?
Tyres, recorded in 4.2% of tests, followed by brakes (2.0%).
Does the 2018 Q2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.7% in the 0-30k band to 20.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 77,920 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.