2020 Audi Q3 S Line 35 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,524 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Audi Q3 S Line 35, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility. Its pass rate of 93.1% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.6%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.6% | 201 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.5% | 137 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 79 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 32 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.2% | 9 |
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 | 133 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 102 |
| 3 | Washers | 67 |
| 4 | Brake discs | 59 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 29 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 28 |
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 | 28.6% | 1,581 |
| 2 | Brakes | 19.7% | 1,089 |
| 3 | Other defects | 9.3% | 512 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.8% | 266 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 140 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 12 |
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 | 2,901 | 5.4% |
| 30-60k | 2,452 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 162 | 8.6% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 5,433 | 6.9% |
| Diesel | 91 | 5.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 73 | 2.7% |
| 2023 | 1,856 | 6.6% |
| 2024 | 1,785 | 6.7% |
| 2025 | 1,810 | 7.5% |
What to check before buying a 2020 Q3 S Line 35
Before buying a 2020 Audi Q3 S Line 35, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.6% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.6% 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.
- Brakes (2.5% 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 (1.4% 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 2020 Audi Q3 S Line 35s pass their MOT?
93.1% of the 5,524 2020 Audi Q3 S Line 35 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi Q3 S Line 35?
Tyres, recorded in 3.6% of tests, followed by brakes (2.5%).
Does the 2020 Q3 S Line 35 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.4% in the 0-30k band to 8.6% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,524 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.