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MOT fail rates by first-use year

2021 Audi e-tron MOT fail rate and common faults

How Audi e-tron cars first used in 2021 did at their MOTs from 2024 to 2025, against all cars of the same age. From 13,937 DVSA MOT tests of these cars. First use is usually the date the car was first registered.

MOT data updated

At 4 years, tested in 2025

MOT fail rate at age 4 (n=6,793)9.5%
All cars at 4 years (n=8,699,937)13.4%
Difference−3.9 pts
MOT tests of 2021 cars, 2024 to 202513,937

What stands out

  • In 2025, at 4 years old, Audi e-tron cars first used in 2021 failed 9.5% of MOTs (6,793 tests), 3.9 points below the 13.4% for all cars that age.
  • From 2024 to 2025, as these cars went from 3 to 4 years old, the fail rate moved from 10.9% to 9.5%.
  • Audi e-tron cars first used a year earlier, in 2020, failed 8.8% at the same age of 4 years (5,281 tests, in 2024).

MOT fail rate by test year

Audi e-tron cars first used in 2021: share of MOT tests that failed, by test year, against all cars of the same age. Years with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.
Test yearAgeMOT fail rateTests (n)All carsDifference
20243 years10.9%7,14412.1%−1.1 pts
20254 years9.5%6,79313.4%−3.9 pts

Most common faults at 4 years

These figures cover all Audi e-tron MOTs at 4 years: cars first used 2019 to 2021, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=13,087). The list uses every first-use year so it has enough tests. Wear items (tyres, brake pads, wipers, bulbs) say more about upkeep than about the design.

MOT fail items

Fail itemPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Tyre condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Wear2.41.5
Tyre with cords exposed Wear1.90.9
Tyre tread below 1.6 mm Wear1.81.4
Headlight aimed too high Wear0.50.6
Registration plates: does not conform to the specified requirements Wear0.40.1
Wipers not clearing screen Wear0.42.5
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Wear0.30.7
Washers: not working Wear0.20.3
Headlamp cleaning device: for LED or HID headlamp inoperative Wear0.20.0
Tyre condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Wear0.20.4

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=13,087). A test with two items counts once for each.

Advisories

AdvisoryPer 100 MOTsAll cars
Tyre tread close to the legal limit or worn on the edge Wear15.512.4
Non-component advisories: Nail in tyre3.52.1
Non-component advisories: Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt3.42.2
Tyre condition: has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Wear2.81.8
Tyre tread close to the legal limit, under the 1.0 mm rule Wear2.61.8
Windscreen: damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view2.21.5
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.15.2
Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing Wear2.06.3
Tyre condition: slightly damaged Wear0.90.7
Wipers: blade defective Wear0.71.3

Per 100 of the MOTs above (n=13,087). A test with two items counts once for each.

Fuel type at 4 years

These figures cover all Audi e-tron MOTs at 4 years: cars first used 2019 to 2021, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=13,087). Each fuel is set against all cars of the same fuel and age. Fuels with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.

FuelShare of testsMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars, same fuelMedian mileage
Electric100.0%9.1%13,08713.5%35,477 miles

Fail rate by mileage at 4 years

These figures cover all Audi e-tron MOTs at 4 years: cars first used 2019 to 2021, tested 2022 to 2025 (n=13,087). At 4 years, Audi e-tron cars at 30,000 to 60,000 miles failed more often (9.8%, n=7,632) than those at under 30,000 miles (7.6%, n=4,347). Bands with fewer than 1,000 tests are not shown.

Mileage at testMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars
Under 30,000 miles7.6%4,34710.2%
30,000 to 60,000 miles9.8%7,63215.5%

Car tax rules for a 2021 car

  • Cars first registered from 1 April 2017 pay a first-year rate set by CO2 emissions, then the standard rate each year. A petrol, diesel or hybrid car with a list price over £40,000 also pays the expensive car supplement for five years, from the second tax payment.
  • Electric cars have paid vehicle tax since 1 April 2025, under the rules for their registration date.
  • Electric cars registered before 1 April 2025 do not pay the expensive car supplement.

These are the rules, not the amount for a specific car. Car tax check

ULEZ and clean air zones

  • Fully electric cars do not pay the ULEZ charge.
  • Clean air zones that charge cars, such as Birmingham and Bristol, do not charge fully electric cars.

The Euro standard of the car decides, not the year alone. ULEZ checker

Other years of the Audi e-tron

Other Audi models first used in 2021

ModelAge at testMOT fail rateTests (n)All cars
Audi A3 (2021)4 years in 202511.3%20,71013.4%
Audi A1 (2021)4 years in 202510.3%14,16213.4%
Audi Q2 (2021)4 years in 20257.5%14,16013.4%
Audi Q5 (2021)4 years in 20259.2%11,46013.4%
Audi Q3 (2021)4 years in 20258.2%11,33913.4%
Audi A4 (2021)4 years in 202512.3%7,17313.4%
Audi A5 (2021)4 years in 202512.1%5,31913.4%
Audi A6 (2021)4 years in 20259.1%4,62213.4%

More on the Audi e-tron

Read this with care. A fail rate is not a measure of build quality. How far cars are driven, how they are used and how well owners maintain them all change it, and wear items such as tyres and brake pads are common fails. Compare a model only with cars of the same age. Methodology and limits.

Found one you might buy? Vet the specific car.

These figures describe 2021 Audi e-tron cars as a group, not any one car. The VetTheCar Buying Report looks at the car you are buying: its MOT history, what similar cars did next, and what to ask the seller.

See an example Buying Report All car tools

Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data, class 4 normal MOT tests, 2022 to 2025. MOT data updated 28 September 2026.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. How we calculate these figures · Data sources

Car tax and clean air zone rules are summarised from GOV.UK and Transport for London guidance. They are general rules and are not drawn from the MOT data.