2021 Audi Q2 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 30,172 MOT tests, the 2021 Audi Q2 recorded a 94.2% pass rate. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 7.2% of the time, so this is 1.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.9%) and brakes (1.2%) 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 480 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.4% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 12.5% once past 90-120k — 2.8× the risk.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.2pp more often than petrol ones (7.9% vs 5.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.9% | 1,169 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.2% | 356 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.0% | 294 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 279 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 79 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 68 |
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 | 480 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 373 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 233 |
| 4 | Washers | 191 |
| 5 | Wipers | 97 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 84 |
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 | 20.3% | 6,126 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.8% | 3,254 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.0% | 2,126 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.9% | 878 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.8% | 253 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.1% | 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 | 18,039 | 4.4% |
| 30-60k | 11,238 | 7.7% |
| 60-90k | 812 | 10.7% |
| 90-120k | 72 | 12.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 28,611 | 5.7% |
| Diesel | 1,561 | 7.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 714 | 5.7% |
| 2024 | 14,702 | 5.8% |
| 2025 | 14,748 | 5.8% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Q2
On a 2021 Q2, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.9% 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 (1.2% 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.
- 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
How many 2021 Audi Q2s pass their MOT?
94.2% of the 30,172 2021 Audi Q2 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Q2?
Tyres, recorded in 3.9% of tests, followed by brakes (1.2%).
Does the 2021 Q2 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.4% in the 0-30k band to 12.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 30,172 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.