AUDI Q3 Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 3,921 MOT tests from 531 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every AUDI Q3 has the same fault.

AUDI Q3's have a very good reliability rating of 721/999. The score was calculated from the average of every AUDI Q3 that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the AUDI Q3.

AUDI Q3 (example)

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Fuel Type	Year	Reliability Score	Avg Mileage	Sample Size
N/A	N/A	800/999Excellent	72,813 miles	5,572 vehicles
N/A	N/A	761/999Very good	69,192 miles	4,387 vehicles
N/A	N/A	748/999Very good	76,851 miles	5,845 vehicles
N/A	N/A	697/999Good	94,045 miles	1,396 vehicles
N/A	N/A	687/999Good	75,909 miles	8,658 vehicles
N/A	N/A	630/999Good	73,641 miles	7,598 vehicles

How reliable is the AUDI Q3?

Based on 3,921 MOT tests from 531 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

531

MOT tests

3,921

Pass rate

84.9%

Median mileage

71,962 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every AUDI Q3 has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 747 out of 999.

Common AUDI Q3 MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 814 advisory comments and 130 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 325 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 163 advisory comments and 14 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 141 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 65 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Engine warning lamp

VehicleScore MOT data includes 32 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an engine warning lamp that was on, or did not work, during the inspection.

What to inspect

Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.

Example MOT wording: ENGINE MIL INOPERATIVE OR INDICATES A MALFUNCTION (8.2.1.2 (H))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 11 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH EXCESSIVELY WORN (5.3.4 (A) (I))

AUDI Q3 MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

Year	Vehicles	MOT tests	Pass rate	Recurring issues seen
2026	20	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025	10	0	—	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024	13	1	100%	No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023	27	33	87.9%	Tyre wear
2022	24	52	90.4%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2021	28	92	90.2%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2020	36	145	93.8%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2019	36	203	89.7%	Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2018	22	150	87.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2017	40	316	89.6%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2016	58	506	85%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2015	52	479	84.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2014	65	725	84.8%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2013	66	815	81.3%	Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2012	28	398	80.4%	Tyre wear, Coil spring issues

What to check when buying a used AUDI Q3

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.
Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.
Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.
Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.
Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.
Engine warning lamp. Switch on the ignition and confirm the lamp comes on and then goes out. Ask what was diagnosed if it stayed on.
Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Buying a AUDI Q3?

Common problems tell you what can affect AUDI Q3s generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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