2021 Audi Q3 — MOT failures & pass rate
24,584 MOT tests on the 2021 Audi Q3 are in this dataset, and 92.9% of them passed. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (7.2% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.4%) and brakes (1.5%) 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 washers — tread depth alone was recorded 459 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.7% in the 0-30k band and 10.2% in the 90-120k band, a 4.5-point spread.
Fuel type barely separates them — hybrid fails 6.4% of the time against 7.8% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.4% | 1,072 |
| 2 | Brakes | 1.5% | 378 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.4% | 342 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 183 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.3% | 84 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 69 |
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 | 459 |
| 2 | Brake pads | 351 |
| 3 | Washers | 291 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 176 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 109 |
| 6 | Wipers | 72 |
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 | 22.8% | 5,592 |
| 2 | Brakes | 13.3% | 3,264 |
| 3 | Other defects | 8.9% | 2,185 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.8% | 943 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.9% | 708 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 69 |
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 | 13,574 | 5.7% |
| 30-60k | 9,975 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 926 | 10.5% |
| 90-120k | 88 | 10.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 17,939 | 6.9% |
| Diesel | 5,440 | 7.8% |
| Hybrid | 1,205 | 6.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 469 | 5.8% |
| 2024 | 12,148 | 7.5% |
| 2025 | 11,946 | 6.7% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Q3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.4% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.4% 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 (1.5% 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 2021 Audi Q3s pass their MOT?
92.9% of the 24,584 2021 Audi Q3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Q3?
Tyres, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by brakes (1.5%).
Does the 2021 Q3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.7% in the 0-30k band to 10.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 24,584 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.