Reliability, safety, running costs and what to check before you buy.
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With 171,546 currently licensed in the UK, the Audi Q3 is one of Britain's most popular cars.
Euro NCAP awarded the Q3 5 stars in 2019, with 95% 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 £3,486 for a typical 5-year-old example, breaking down to £290/month or 44p/mile.
Theft risk is rated low at 4.2 per 1,000 registered vehicles.
NCAP Safety
2019
MOT Pass Rate
81.8%
65,000 tests
Monthly Cost
£290
est. annual total
New From
£38,000
Euro NCAP tested the Q3 in 2019 and awarded it 5 out of 5 stars.
Adult Occupant
95%
Child Occupant
86%
Pedestrian
76%
Safety Assist
85%
There are 9 known DVSA recalls affecting the Audi Q3. Enter a registration number to check whether a specific vehicle is affected.
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
R/2022/073
The design trim on the power unit can become detached from its retainers.
Build dates: 2020-11-23 to 2022-03-10
R/2021/323
The bolted connection of the pull rod between the electromechanical brake servo and brake pedal may come loose resulting in a loss of all service braking ability.�
Build dates: 2020-08-24 to 2021-05-05
+ 4 more recalls. Check a specific vehicle to see the full list.
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.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Audi Q3 are estimated at around £3,486 per year, or £290 per month.
Fuel
£1,101
/year
Road Tax
£195
/year
Depreciation
£1,535
/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.
The Q3 achieves a combined fuel economy of around 47.9 mpg (38.2 mpg urban, 56.5 mpg extra-urban).
| Variant | Fuel | Combined | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q3 | PETROL | 47.9 mpg | 1.4L |
| Q3 | PETROL | 43.5 mpg | 1.5L |
| Q3 | DIESEL | 54.3 mpg | 2.0L |
| Q3 | PETROL | 38.7 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 |
Starting from £38,000 new, a Audi Q3 typically retains about 56% after 3 years and 46% after 5 years.
| Age | Retained | Est. Value | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 75% | £28,500 | −£9,500 |
| 2 years | 64% | £24,250 | −£13,750 |
| 3 years | 56% | £21,300 | −£16,700 |
| 4 years | 50% | £19,200 | −£18,800 |
| 5 years | 46% | £17,650 | −£20,350 |
| 6 years | 43% | £16,400 | −£21,600 |
| 7 years | 41% | £15,450 | −£22,550 |
| 8 years | 39% | £14,650 | −£23,350 |
| 9 years | 37% | £13,950 | −£24,050 |
| 10 years | 35% | £13,250 | −£24,750 |
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.
There are currently 171,546 licensed and 1,351 SORN Q3s in the UK (172,897 total). This makes it a very common vehicle on UK roads.
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.
Euro NCAP awarded the Q3 5 out of 5 stars when tested in 2019. It scored 95% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection, 76% for vulnerable road users, and 85% for safety assist features.
Annual running costs for a typical 5-year-old Q3 are estimated at around £3,486 per year (£290/month). This includes fuel, road tax, depreciation, and MOT fees — but excludes insurance, servicing, and repairs.
There are 9 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.
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.
A new Q3 starts from around £38,000. After 5 years, a typical example retains about 46% of its original value.
Enter the registration to check its full MOT history, tax status, mileage, recalls and estimated value — all free.
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Get a free email reminder 28 days and 7 days before your MOT expires.
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Driving without a valid MOT can mean a fine of up to £1,000.
Free Plate Check may earn a small commission from partner links, at no cost to you.
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