Used car guide

2020 Audi RS Q3 Tfsi Quattro S-A: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Audi RS Q3 Tfsi Quattro S-As, from 273 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 273 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

273MOT tests in 2025
94%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
7,300typical miles a year
15%had tyres flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2020 Audi RS Q3 Tfsi Quattro S-A MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    15% 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.

  • Brakes
    7% 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
    4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    1% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    1% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Lights and electrics
    1% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Brake pedal rod recall
    Some cars

    The bolted joint between the brake servo and pedal could work loose, with a risk of losing all normal braking.

    At the viewing: Ask an Audi dealer to confirm the recall was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Audi Q3 (2018 on) reliability

  • Seat frame and engine trim recalls
    Some cars

    Recalls also covered front seat frames not bolted correctly to the rails and engine trim coming loose.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the recalls were done.

    Source: What Car?: used Audi Q3 (2018 on) reliability

Looking at an Audi RS Q3 Tfsi Quattro S-A?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2021181Tyres 20%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Audi RS Q3 Tfsi Quattro S-As registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score