2021 Audi Q3 S Line 35 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,867 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi Q3 S Line 35, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, brakes and visibility. Its pass rate of 93.0% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.3% in the 60-90k group versus 5.7% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.8% | 110 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.4% | 69 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 34 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 18 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.3% | 8 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.2% | 7 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 64 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 55 |
| 3 | Washers | 29 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 16 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 14 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 10 |
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 | 27.7% | 794 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.0% | 459 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.8% | 252 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.2% | 91 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.4% | 68 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 10 |
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 | 1,638 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,126 | 8.3% |
| 60-90k | 98 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 2,766 | 6.9% |
| Diesel | 101 | 10.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 63 | 7.9% |
| 2024 | 1,423 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 1,381 | 6.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Q3 S Line 35
Before buying a 2021 Audi Q3 S Line 35, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 3.8% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (3.8% 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 (2.4% 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 (1.2% 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 Q3 S Line 35s pass their MOT?
93.0% of the 2,867 2021 Audi Q3 S Line 35 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Q3 S Line 35?
Tyres, recorded in 3.8% of tests, followed by brakes (2.4%).
Does the 2021 Q3 S Line 35 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 14.3% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,867 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.