What are the most common problems with a 2012 Audi Q3 petrol?

Known faults on the 2012 Audi Q3 petrol include s tronic automatic faults and sat nav unit failure. The area flagged most at MOT is tyres, on 29% of the 3,627 MOTs these cars had in 2023–2025.

What should I ask the seller before buying a used 2012 Audi Q3 petrol?

Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time? Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Used car guide

2012 Audi Q3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Audi Q3 first registered in 2012 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 3,627 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

3,627MOTs of 2012 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025

76%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 64%)

6,600typical miles a year

29%had tyres flagged

Common 2012 Audi Q3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2012 Audi Q3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

Tyres

29% of testsRough price £70–£150

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
Brakes

21% of testsRough price £150–£350

At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
Suspension

20% of testsRough price £120–£400

At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
Lights and electrics

12% of testsRough price £10–£80

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
Wipers, windscreen and mirrors

6% of testsRough price £15–£250

At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Driveshafts and joints

5% of testsRough price £60–£350

At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Known faults on the 2012 Audi Q3 petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

S tronic automatic faults
S tronic automatic
Some S tronic (DSG) gearboxes developed rough changes from internal faults. Most have been fixed by now, but a repair or replacement is very expensive.

At the viewing: Drive it for a while in traffic and check the changes are smooth in auto and manual modes.

Source: Carbuyer: used Audi Q3 (2011-2018) reliability and common problems
Sat nav unit failure
Cars with sat nav
A few owners have had the sat nav unit fail, which cost around £2,000 to replace.

At the viewing: Make sure the sat nav starts up and works.

Source: Carbuyer: used Audi Q3 (2011-2018) reliability and common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 Audi Q3 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Audi Q3?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Audi Q3 compared

Year	MOT tests	Most flagged
2026	–	Too new for MOT data
2025	–	Too new for MOT data
2024	–	Too new for MOT data
2023	459	Tyres 12%
2022	12,078	Tyres 25%
2021	22,737	Tyres 27%
2020	37,861	Tyres 28%
2019	41,509	Tyres 28%
2018	37,297	Tyres 29%
2017	47,744	Tyres 29%
2016	48,907	Tyres 30%
2015	42,119	Suspension 30%
2014	40,996	Suspension 33%
2013	34,602	Tyres 33%
2011	1,438	Suspension 32%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Audi Q3 cars first registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score