2012 Audi Q3 MOT pass rate: 75.1% (19,767 tests)
Is the 2012 Q3 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2012-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 76.4% +4.0 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 75.5% +4.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 73.5% +3.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2012 Q3
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 3,674 | 34.9% |
| 2 | Tyres | 2,011 | 19.1% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,662 | 15.8% |
| 4 | Brakes | 1,088 | 10.3% |
| 5 | Visibility | 662 | 6.3% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 584 | 5.6% |
All Q3 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 (this page) | 19,767 | 75.1% | +3.9 pts | 96,629 |
| 2013 | 34,428 | 76.5% | +3.1 pts | 90,058 |
| 2014 | 40,810 | 78.8% | +3.0 pts | 80,115 |
| 2015 | 41,907 | 81.0% | +2.3 pts | 70,209 |
| 2016 | 48,706 | 83.7% | +2.3 pts | 62,029 |
| 2017 | 47,555 | 87.3% | +3.3 pts | 52,435 |
| 2018 | 37,138 | 88.8% | +2.4 pts | 43,990 |
| 2019 | 36,053 | 92.2% | +3.8 pts | 35,718 |
| 2020 | 4,087 | 91.1% | +1.2 pts | 33,776 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Audi Q3 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2012 Audi Q3 reliable?
2012-registered examples passed 75.1% of their MOT tests (19,767 tests, 2023–2025), +3.9 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 14 years old with a median 96,629 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2012 Q3?
The median tested example shows 96,629 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2012 Q3?
In this cohort petrols pass 80.4% of tests against 73.9% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.