Used car guide

2017 Audi Q3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2017 Audi Q3s, from 16,028 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

16,028MOT tests in 2025
84%pass first time (all 2017 cars: 78%)
7,600typical miles a year
2.2×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2017 Audi Q3s than on all cars registered in 2017.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
    Audi Q3
    10.5% All 2017 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.9% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Shock absorbers1.8× usual
    Audi Q3
    6.5% All 2017 cars
    3.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.7% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Suspension arm8.3× usual
    Audi Q3
    2.5% All 2017 cars
    0.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Coil springs1.7× usual
    Audi Q3
    4.9% All 2017 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 2% of all 2017 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 2017 Audi Q3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    29% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Suspension
    22% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    21% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    5% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    4% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Looking at a Audi Q3?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
202211,517Tyres 26%
202111,304Tyres 27%
202012,639Tyres 29%
201913,922Tyres 26%
201812,618Tyres 30%
201616,311Tyres 30%
201514,099Suspension 35%
201413,672Suspension 39%
201311,524Suspension 33%
20126,614Suspension 35%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2017 Audi Q3s registered in 2017. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score