Family SUV · 2019–2021 cars
Audi e-tron reliability
The Audi e-tron fails 7.9% of first MOT tests, 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 19,547 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Audi e-tron before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 7.9%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 41% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 19,547
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 9,500
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Audi e-tron ages
Each point is the share of Audi e-trons of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Audi e-tron | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 8.8% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 9.8% | 16.4% |
By year
The best and worst Audi e-tron years
2020 cars come out best and 2021 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 e-tron | 3,679 | 8.1% | 35% fewer fails | 29,581 |
| 2020 e-tron | 12,625 | 7.5% | 44% fewer fails | 33,087 |
| 2019 e-tron | 3,243 | 9.3% | 36% fewer fails | 37,214 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Audi e-tron
Its weak spot is tyres: 16% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres5.6%16% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors0.9%73% below avg
- Lights and electrics0.8%72% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.6%144% above avg
- Brakes0.3%89% below avg
- Seat belts and airbags0.3%4% above avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%43% below avg
- Suspension0.1%90% below avg
- Wheels0.1%65% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.23% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.21% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.99% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Number plate does not meet standards 0.19% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 5
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 0.18% of tests
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
- 6
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.16% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 7
LED or HID headlamp cleaner inoperative 0.14% of tests
Without a working cleaner, dirt can build up on LED or HID lenses and reduce light output, so repair is needed.
- 8
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.14% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi e-tron's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.76%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.75%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.6%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.28%
- Tyre has a shallow cut1.24%
- Brake disc pitted or scored1.13%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Audi e-tron
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Number plate does not meet standards
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Audi e-tron covers about 9,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Electric100%
Most common colours
Black, Grey, Blue, White, Silver
Compare
How the Audi e-tron compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi e-tron | 7.9% | 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mitsubishi Eclipse | 12.6% | 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Daihatsu Terios | 39.8% | about average for its age |
| SEAT Tarraco | 14.2% | about average for its age |
| Renault Koleos | 26% | 7% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Chevrolet Captiva | 46.9% | 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Korando | 31.8% | 44% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every family suv ranked in the family suv reliability index, or all Audi models.
Questions
Audi e-tron questions, answered
Is the Audi e-tron reliable?
On MOT results, the Audi e-tron is better than average: it fails 7.9% of first MOT tests, 41% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 4 of 59 family suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Audi e-tron MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Audi e-tron are tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.23% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.21% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.99% of tests). By area, tyres fails 5.6% of its tests.
Which Audi e-tron year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2021 cars do worst (35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Audi e-tron do a year?
A typical Audi e-tron covers about 9,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Audi e-tron before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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