Audi e-tron MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 6,596 MOT tests on the Audi e-tron carried out in 2023. 9% failed at the first attempt, which is well below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 9 in 10 e-trons passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 2019 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2019 models did best (92% passed, +5.7 points against the average for 4-year-old cars), while 2021 models fared worst (93%, +1.9 points). Tested cars had covered 28,952 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was tyres, found on 6.9% of tests (roughly in line with the 6.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords", on 2.7% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 6,596
- First-time pass rate
- 91%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +19.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 28,952
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular e-tron?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
e-tron MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 249 | 93% | 91% | +1.9 points | 24,408 |
| 2020 | 5,334 | 90% | 88% | +2.7 points | 28,158 |
| 2019 | 1,009 | 92% | 86% | +5.7 points | 34,281 |
Why the Audi e-tron fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | e-tron | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.9% | 6.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 1.1% | 11.3% |
| Visibility | 1.0% | 4.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.3% | 1.0% |
| Brakes | 0.2% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 0.1% | 3.5% |
| Suspension | 0.1% | 8.9% |
| Road Wheels | 0.1% | 0.4% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.0% | 3.1% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords2.7%
- 2tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
- 3has ply or cords exposed2.1%
- 4not working0.3%
- 5does not clear the windscreen effectively0.3%
- 6too high0.3%
- 7for LED or HID headlamp inoperative0.2%
- 8warning lamp indicates a fault0.2%
- 9provides insufficient washer liquid0.2%
- 10does not conform to the specified requirements0.2%
Common e-tron MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used e-tron, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.5% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 3.9% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 3.0% |
| Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt | Non-component advisories | 2.6% |
| has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Tyres | 2.4% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 1.9% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 1.6% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 0.9% |
| has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 0.8% |
| Items removed from drivers view prior to test | Non-component advisories | 0.7% |
Tips to help your e-tron pass
Based on where e-trons most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 1.1% of e-tron tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Visibility · 1.0% of e-tron tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Number plates and VIN · 0.4% of e-tron tests
Make sure the plates are legal
Number plates must be clean, secure and use the correct font and spacing. Damaged or non-standard plates are an easy fail to avoid.
Compare with other models
Is the e-tron ULEZ compliant? See the Audi e-tron ULEZ check, or view all Audi models.
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 6,596 first MOT tests of the Audi e-tron carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 6,596 first MOT tests of the Audi e-tron.
What is the Audi e-tron MOT failure rate?
In our data, 9% of 6,596 first MOT attempts on the Audi e-tron ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Audi e-tron fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were tyres (6.9% of tests), lights and electrics (1.1% of tests), visibility (1.0% of tests).
Which e-tron year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2019 cars performed best: 92% passed first time, +5.7 points against the average for 4-year-old cars. The weakest was 2021, at 93% (+1.9 points).
How many miles had a typical Audi e-tron covered at its MOT?
The average was 28,952 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 24,408 miles and 2019 cars 34,281.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Audi e-tron?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 15.5% of tests, in the tyres area. 6.9% of e-trons failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific e-tron's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 6,596 e-trons in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 90% to 93% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readDashboard warning lights and the MOT: which ones mean a fail?An engine, ABS or airbag light that stays on is a major defect at the MOT, even if the car drives perfectly. Which lights testers check, and what to do first.Read the guide
Check any e-tron's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.