Audi Q3 — Buyer's Guide
Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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Audi Q3 overview
With 172,277 currently licensed in the UK, the Audi Q3 is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Q3 5 stars in 2025, with 87% adult occupant and 86% child protection scores.
It has a 81.8% first-time MOT pass rate — above the UK national average of 72%. Common MOT failure areas include suspension, brakes, tyres.
Annual running costs are estimated at £3,601 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £300/month or 49p/mile.
Theft risk is rated low at 4.2 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2025
MOT Pass Rate
81.8%
65,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£300
est. annual total
New From
£38,370
Safety rating
Euro NCAP tested the Q3 in 2025 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
87%
Child Occupant
86%
Pedestrian
87%
Safety Assist
78%
Safety recalls
There are 11 known DVSA recalls affecting the Audi Q3. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
R/2026/325
On affected vehicles the seat belt webbing may not be connected correctly to the vehicle's load-bearing structure meaning it would not be able to restrain the occupant in the event of an accident.
Build dates: 2026-07-09 to 2026-07-09
R/2026/292
On affected vehicles a joint at the pyrotechnic inflator of the front seat belt retractors was not welded correctly presenting a risk of vehicle occupants being injured by small parts coming loose in the event of an accident.
Build dates: 2025-11-03 to 2026-05-26
R/2023/331
A weld seam on the outer backrest frame of the front seats may not have been made correctly.�
Build dates: 2023-06-06 to 2023-06-09
R/2022/354
Certain vehicles may have been fitted with a rear window which does not conform to the manufacturer�s quality requirements.
Build dates: 2022-05-26 to 2022-05-30
R/2022/085
The fuse in the high-voltage system (HV system) in vehicles built within a limited period may have been manufactured with an insufficient quantity of extinguishing sand.
Build dates: 2020-10-01 to 2022-02-22
+ 6 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
Reliability & MOT
Based on 65,000 MOT tests, the Q3 has a first-time pass rate of 81.8% — above the UK national average of 72%.
This is a positive sign for reliability. The Q3 is less likely to have issues at MOT time than the average car on UK roads.
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Running costs
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Audi Q3 are estimated at around £3,601 per year, or £300 per month.
Fuel
£1,201
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,550
/year
MOT
£55
/year
Estimated annual running costs based on available data. Excludes insurance, parking, and finance costs. Actual costs depend on your driving habits and circumstances.
Fuel economy
The Q3 achieves a combined fuel economy of around 47.9 mpg (39.8 mpg urban, 54.3 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 | PETROL | 47.9 mpg | 1.4L |
| Q3 | PETROL | 43.5 mpg | 1.5L |
| Q3 | DIESEL | 42.2 mpg | 2.0L |
| Q3 | PETROL | 34.4 mpg | 2.0L |
| Q3 | DIESEL | 52.3 mpg | 2.0L |
| Q3 SPORTBACK | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 42.8 mpg | 1.5L |
| Q3 SPORTBACK | DIESEL | 52.3 mpg | 2.0L |
| Q3 SPORTBACK | PETROL/ELECTRIC | 34.4 mpg | 2.0L |
Depreciation
Starting from £38,370 new, a Audi Q3 typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £28,800 | −£9,570 |
| 2 years | 64% | £24,450 | −£13,920 |
| 3 years | 56% | £21,550 | −£16,820 |
| 4 years | 50% | £19,350 | −£19,020 |
| 5 years | 46% | £17,800 | −£20,570 |
| 6 years | 43% | £16,600 | −£21,770 |
| 7 years | 41% | £15,600 | −£22,770 |
| 8 years | 39% | £14,800 | −£23,570 |
| 9 years | 37% | £14,050 | −£24,320 |
| 10 years | 35% | £13,350 | −£25,020 |
Theft risk
The Q3 has a theft rate of 4.2 per 1,000 registered vehicles, rated low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000.
How common is the Q3?
There are currently 172,277 licensed and 1,451 SORN Q3s in the UK (173,728 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audi Q3 reliable?
The Q3 has a 81.8% first-time MOT pass rate based on 65,000 tests — above the UK national average of 72%. This suggests good overall reliability.
How safe is the Audi Q3?
Euro NCAP awarded the Q3 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2025. It scored 87% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 87% for vulnerable road users, and 78% for safety assist features.
How much does a Audi Q3 cost to run?
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Q3 are estimated at around £3,601 per year (£300/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
Are there any recalls on the Audi Q3?
There are 11 known safety recalls affecting the Q3. These are issued by the DVSA when a safety defect is found. You can check if a specific vehicle is affected by entering its registration number.
Is the Audi Q3 likely to be stolen?
The Q3 has a theft rate of 4.2 per 1,000 registered vehicles, which is rated low compared to the national average of 5.5 per 1,000. Standard security precautions should be sufficient.
How much does a new Audi Q3 cost?
A new Q3 starts from around £38,370. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
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