Audi reliability and common MOT problems by model
Audi shows a 15.9% combined MOT failure rate across 1,915,943 tests in MOTIntel data. Q2 has one of the lower high-confidence rates at 7.0%. A2 deserves extra checking at 28.7%.
Statistics are built from DVSA MOT tests carried out in calendar year 2023, plus official recall records and MOT fault wording data. Report index generated 2026-05-09.
Audi combined failure rate: 15.9% — all-model average is 18.7%. Ranked #14 of 48 makes by failure rate (1 = lowest). Raw rates reflect each make's fleet age mix — newer fleets naturally fail less.
Which Audi models look strongest?
Q2 (7.0%), A8 (10.3%), A7 (11.9%), Q5 (12.2%), Q3 (12.9%)
Which Audi models need extra caution?
A2 (28.7%), A4 (18.8%), A3 (17.7%), Tt (17.3%), A1 (15.8%)
Most reliable Audi models in MOT data
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi Q2 | 7.0% | 62,312 tests | 55,656 vehicles |
| 2 | Audi A8 | 10.3% | 13,005 tests | 11,297 vehicles |
| 3 | Audi A7 | 11.9% | 18,563 tests | 15,669 vehicles |
| 4 | Audi Q5 | 12.2% | 110,985 tests | 94,825 vehicles |
| 5 | Audi Q3 | 12.9% | 121,503 tests | 102,349 vehicles |
Audi models with the highest MOT failure rates
| # | Model | MOT failure rate | Tests | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Audi A2 | 28.7% | 9,817 tests | 7,041 vehicles |
| 2 | Audi A4 | 18.8% | 320,113 tests | 251,873 vehicles |
| 3 | Audi A3 | 17.7% | 493,202 tests | 389,895 vehicles |
| 4 | Audi Tt | 17.3% | 137,512 tests | 111,914 vehicles |
| 5 | Audi A1 | 15.8% | 241,865 tests | 196,998 vehicles |
Common Audi MOT problem areas
| # | Problem area | MOT notes | Models affected | What to check | High-rate examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Corrosion and structure | 206,543 MOT notes | 13 models | Inspect sills, subframes, suspension mounts, brake pipes, and previous welding or rust repairs. | Audi A2, Audi Tt, Audi A3 |
| 2 | Suspension and steering | 152,478 MOT notes | 13 models | Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and ask whether worn joints or bushes have been replaced. | Audi A2, Audi A4, Audi A3 |
| 3 | Lights and electrical | 138,468 MOT notes | 13 models | Test every exterior light, warning lamp, horn, washer, and basic electrical function before buying. | Audi A2, Audi Tt, Audi A6 |
| 4 | Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors | 118,217 MOT notes | 13 models | Check the windscreen, wipers, washers, mirrors, chips, cracks, and whether the driver's view is clear. | Audi A2, Audi A3, Audi A4 |
| 5 | Emissions, engine, and exhaust | 94,505 MOT notes | 13 models | Check cold starts, exhaust smoke, warning lights, service history, and recent emissions repairs. | Audi A2, Audi A4, Audi Tt |
| 6 | Tyres and wheels | 44,438 MOT notes | 13 models | Look for matching tyres, legal tread, sidewall damage, wheel damage, and uneven wear. | Audi Q2, Audi Q3, Audi Q7 |
All Audi model reports
| Model | MOT tests | Vehicles | Failure rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3 | 493,202 | 389,895 | 17.7% |
| A4 | 320,113 | 251,873 | 18.8% |
| A1 | 241,865 | 196,998 | 15.8% |
| A6 | 146,874 | 121,325 | 14.8% |
| A5 | 142,462 | 116,416 | 15.6% |
| Tt | 137,512 | 111,914 | 17.3% |
| Q3 | 121,503 | 102,349 | 12.9% |
| Q5 | 110,985 | 94,825 | 12.2% |
| Q2 | 62,312 | 55,656 | 7.0% |
| Q7 | 49,653 | 41,546 | 13.8% |
| A7 | 18,563 | 15,669 | 11.9% |
| A8 | 13,005 | 11,297 | 10.3% |
| A2 | 9,817 | 7,041 | 28.7% |
| S3 limited data | 4,103 | 3,334 | 16.1% |
| R8 limited data | 4,072 | 3,586 | 7.8% |
| Q8 limited data | 3,033 | 2,659 | 7.5% |
| Q3 S Line 35 Tfsi Mhev S A limited data | 3,008 | 2,735 | 4.8% |
| E Tron limited data | 2,917 | 2,546 | 7.5% |
| E Tron Technik 50 Quattro limited data | 2,683 | 2,424 | 7.4% |
| Allroad limited data | 2,313 | 1,820 | 19.6% |
| Q3 S Line 35 Tfsi limited data | 2,160 | 1,927 | 6.5% |
| A3 S Line 35 Tfsi limited data | 2,124 | 1,982 | 6.1% |
| A3 S Line 35 Tfsi Mhev S A limited data | 2,045 | 1,906 | 5.8% |
| S5 limited data | 1,696 | 1,432 | 14.2% |
| Q3 S Line 40 Tfsi Quattro S A limited data | 1,675 | 1,505 | 5.5% |
| Q7 Sln Blk Ed 50tdi Mhev Qto A limited data | 1,573 | 1,330 | 9.8% |
| A1 Technik 25 Tfsi limited data | 1,529 | 1,357 | 7.3% |
| Cabriolet limited data | 1,447 | 1,112 | 24.0% |
| S4 limited data | 1,294 | 1,074 | 15.1% |
| Rs4 limited data | 1,287 | 1,095 | 13.0% |
| A3 E Tron 40 S A limited data | 1,268 | 1,036 | 12.0% |
| 80 limited data | 1,179 | 903 | 24.5% |
| Q7 S Line 50 Tdi Mhev Quat A limited data | 1,154 | 1,006 | 9.0% |
| Q3 Sport 35 Tfsi limited data | 1,143 | 1,029 | 6.2% |
| A6 S Line Black Ed 40 Tdi Sa limited data | 1,134 | 957 | 6.8% |
| A3 Technik 30 Tfsi limited data | 1,127 | 1,023 | 8.6% |
| A5 S Line 35 Tdi Mhev S A limited data | 1,071 | 940 | 8.6% |
| Q5 S Ln Comp 55 Tfsi E Quat Sa limited data | 1,042 | 911 | 6.1% |
Models with limited data (fewer than 20,000 tests or 10,000 vehicles) have full reports but are not indexed in search engines until the evidence threshold is met.