2021 Audi Rs Q3 Ed Sa — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2021 Audi Rs Q3 Ed Sa passed 93.5% of its 751 recorded MOT tests. Against all cars of a similar age (8.6% fail rate), the 2021 Rs Q3 Ed Sa comes out 2.1pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and other defects.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 4.5% of all tests — 3.3 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plates and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 11 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.5% | 34 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.2% | 9 |
| 3 | Other defects | 0.8% | 6 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 5 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.5% | 4 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 11 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 9 |
| 3 | Washers | 8 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 4 |
| 6 | Wipers | 2 |
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 | 14.8% | 111 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.5% | 41 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.2% | 39 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.9% | 29 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 0.7% | 5 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 3 |
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 | 456 | 5.5% |
| 30-60k | 268 | 7.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 356 | 6.2% |
| 2025 | 378 | 7.1% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Rs Q3 Ed Sa
On a 2021 Rs Q3 Ed Sa, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.5% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (4.5% 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.
- 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.
- Other defects (0.8% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
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 Rs Q3 Ed Sas pass their MOT?
93.5% of the 751 2021 Audi Rs Q3 Ed Sa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 6.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi Rs Q3 Ed Sa?
Tyres, recorded in 4.5% of tests, followed by visibility (1.2%).
Does the 2021 Rs Q3 Ed Sa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 0-30k band to 7.8% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 751 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.