Used car guide · 2011–2026

Audi Q3 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Audi Q3, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 387,628 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 2026 Audi Q3

Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Audi Q3 as a whole.

5,510registered new in 2026 so far
2029first MOT due
Petrolmost common fuel (also diesel)
What to check on a 2026 car
  • Warranty left

    Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.

  • Servicing

    Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.

  • Finance

    Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.

  • Recalls

    Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.

  • Logbook (V5C)

    The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.

Check for recalls on GOV.UK

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011

What usually goes wrong with an Audi Q3?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • S tronic automatic faults

    Cars registered 2011–2018 · 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

  • Brake pedal rod recall

    Cars registered 2019–2025 · 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

  • Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

    Cars registered 2011–2018 · Diesel

    Diesels used mostly around town can clog the particulate filter, and fuel can get into the engine oil.

    At the viewing: Ask how it’s been driven, check the oil level isn’t above the max mark, and watch for a DPF warning light.

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

  • Seat frame and engine trim recalls

    Cars registered 2019–2025 · 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

  • Running problems after the diesel emissions update

    Cars registered 2011–2015 · 2.0 TDI diesel (early cars)

    Some owners say their TDI diesel ran less well and used more fuel after the 2016 emissions software update.

    At the viewing: Ask whether the update was done, and check it runs smoothly.

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

  • Brake lights recall

    Cars registered 2014–2018 · Built Oct 2014 to Sep 2018

    On cars built from October 2014 to September 2018, the brake lights could go out when the electric handbrake was on. There was a recall.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done.

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

  • Sat nav unit failure

    Cars registered 2011–2018 · 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

Common Audi Q3 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

Petrol

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 8.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Nail or damage in a tyre

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 2.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

Diesel

  • Suspension arm

    up to 13.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Coil springs

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

    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.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints

    up to 2.9× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Brake discs

    up to 1.8× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2018, 2020 and 2021.

    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.

Hybrid

  • Shock absorbers

    up to 3.5× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    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.

  • Windscreen

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2022.

    Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Audi Q3 MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2011 Audi Q3 did best (71% passed first time, 9 points above all 2011 cars) and the 2022 did worst (93%, 4 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202396%92% +4459 (small sample)
202293%89% +412,078
202191%87% +422,737
202092%87% +537,861
201991%85% +641,509
201887%83% +437,297
201785%80% +547,744
201682%77% +548,907
201579%74% +542,119
201476%70% +640,996
201373%67% +634,602
201271%64% +719,881
201171%62% +91,438

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Audi Q3

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

  1. Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
  2. Has the brake pedal rod recall been done?
  3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 12× as often on the Audi Q3 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Audi Q3 as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the Audi Q3 as on other cars the same age.)
  6. 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, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score