2013 Audi Q3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Audi Q3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Audi Q3 than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Suspension arm4.1× usual
  Audi Q3

  8.2% All 2013 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usual
  Audi Q3

  4.1% All 2013 cars

  2.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.8% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Engine warning light2.1× usual
  Audi Q3

  3.4% All 2013 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.4%, against 1.6% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2013 Audi Q3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Audi Q3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  33% 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.

• Tyres
  33% 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
  25% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  12% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

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

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

Known faults on the 2013 Audi Q3

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.

• S tronic automatic faults

  S tronic automatic

  Some S tronic (DSG) gearboxes developed rough changes from internal faults. Most have been fixed by now, but a repair or replacement is very expensive.

  At the viewing: Drive it for a while in traffic and check the changes are smooth in auto and manual modes.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi Q3 (2011-2018) reliability and common problems

• Blocked particulate filter (diesel)

  Diesel

  Diesels used mostly around town can clog the particulate filter, and fuel can get into the engine oil.

  At the viewing: Ask how it’s been driven, check the oil level isn’t above the max mark, and watch for a DPF warning light.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi Q3 (2011-2018) reliability and common problems

• Running problems after the diesel emissions update

  2.0 TDI diesel (early cars)

  Some owners say their TDI diesel ran less well and used more fuel after the 2016 emissions software update.

  At the viewing: Ask whether the update was done, and check it runs smoothly.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi Q3 (2011-2018) reliability and common problems

• Sat nav unit failure

  Cars with sat nav

  A few owners have had the sat nav unit fail, which cost around £2,000 to replace.

  At the viewing: Make sure the sat nav starts up and works.

  Source: Carbuyer: used Audi Q3 (2011-2018) reliability and common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Audi Q3

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the gearbox had any work, and has its oil been changed on time?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 4.1× as often on the 2013 Audi Q3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the anti-roll bar link joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2013 Audi Q3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2013 Audi Q3 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?