2020 Audi Q3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Audi Q3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Audi Q3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Brake discs1.6× usual
  Audi Q3

  11.5% All 2020 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Shock absorbers2.6× usual
  Audi Q3

  4.1% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Nail or damage in a tyre1.6× usual
  Audi Q3

  3.4% All 2020 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.

Common 2020 Audi Q3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Audi Q3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  28% 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
  16% 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
  5% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  4% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

• Lights and electrics
  1% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults on the 2020 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.

• Brake pedal rod recall

  Some cars

  The bolted joint between the brake servo and pedal could work loose, with a risk of losing all normal braking.

  At the viewing: Ask an Audi dealer to confirm the recall was done.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q3 (2018 on) reliability

• Seat frame and engine trim recalls

  Some cars

  Recalls also covered front seat frames not bolted correctly to the rails and engine trim coming loose.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the recalls were done.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi Q3 (2018 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Audi Q3 petrol

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

1. Has the brake pedal rod recall been done?
2. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2020 Audi Q3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2020 Audi Q3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the nail or damage in a tyre? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2020 Audi Q3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?