Verdict
Audi cars pass their MOT first time on 77.5% of tests, against 70.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. That beats 83% of cars on UK roads and ranks Audi 5th of 40 makes, well ahead of Volkswagen and Ford.
The larger models do best. The A8 does better than almost every car on UK roads for its age and mileage; the A7 beats 98% of cars, the Q5 and Q7 96%, and the Q2 and A6 95%.
The most common models are a little further back: the A3 beats 77% of cars, the A4 81% and the A1 64%. The only common model to check carefully is the A2 (2000–2005), about average for its age at 56%.
Audis fail less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage in almost every MOT area: steering about a third as often, and lights and electrics, brakes and visibility a little over half as often. Tyres are the exception, failing about as often as on a typical car, on about 7% of tests.
Where it fails
Every Audi compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage.
Every MOT area
Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).
Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.
Audi models
Models with 20,000+ MOT tests, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate. Light vans are included and tend to grade lower, partly from hard commercial use.
| Model first registered | Pass rate | Rank | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| A3 1997–2023 | 74.4% | Beats 77% | B |
| A4 1996–2023 | 72.1% | Beats 81% | A |
| A1 2010–2023 | 79.5% | Beats 64% | B |
| A6 2000–2022 | 78.7% | Beats 95% | A |
| TT 1999–2023 | 74.9% | Beats 86% | A |
| A5 2007–2023 | 79.1% | Beats 88% | A |
| Q3 2011–2023 | 84.7% | Beats 91% | A |
| Q5 2009–2023 | 84.3% | Beats 96% | A |
| Q2 2016–2023 | 90.5% | Beats 95% | A |
| Q7 2006–2023 | 82.1% | Beats 96% | A |
| A7 2010–2021 | 84.4% | Beats 98% | A |
| A8 2005–2020 | 87.0% | Beats 100% | A |
| A2 2000–2005 | 54.6% | Beats 56% | C |
| e-tron 2019–2022 | 90.1% | Beats 92% | A |
| S3 2001–2022 | 81.0% | Beats 96% | A |
| R8 2007–2018 | 89.2% | Beats 99% | A |
FAQ
What is the Audi MOT pass rate?
77.5% of Audi MOT tests were passed first time, from 13.4 million tests. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 70.6%, so Audis do clearly better than typical.
Are Audis reliable?
On MOT results, yes: Audi beats 83% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account, and ranks 5th of 40 makes. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.
Which Audi model is most reliable?
The A8 and A7 do best, each beating 98% or more of cars on UK roads. Of the most common models, the Q5 beats 96% and the Q3 91%.
Which Audi should I avoid?
No common Audi model does badly. The A2 (2000–2005) is about average for its age, beating 56% of cars; the A1 beats 64% and the A3 77%.
What do Audis fail their MOT on?
Tyres and lights and electrics, each on about 7% of tests, then suspension. Only tyres fail about as often as on a typical car of the same age and mileage; every other area fails less often.