MOT failures by make

Audi MOT failures for “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively”

Audi cars failed their MOT on “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively” in 1.06% of 3,386,539 tests in 2023–2024 (36,001 tests) — 47% less often than comparable cars of the same age, mileage and fuel, which would have failed on it in about 1.99% of tests. It is the number 8 most common failure item on Audis.

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Data to 2024-12-30 · Page updated 2026-09-28 · Publisher: 73 Auto

Audi tests failing on it: 1.06%; 36,001 of 3,386,539 tests, 2023–2024
Comparable cars: 1.99%; national rate at the same age, mileage and fuel
Observed ÷ expected: 0.53×; 73 Auto analysis · rank #8 for Audi

How unusual this is for the make

Across all MOT failures, Audis fail 23% less often than comparable cars. On this item the gap is 0.69× narrower than that overall level, so it is a genuine Audi pattern rather than a reflection of how often the make fails in general. It is a major defect in the driver's view of the road part of the test. Nationally it appears on 2.11% of MOT tests.

Audi models and “Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively”

The Audi Q2 is least affected (0.13× comparable cars); the Audi A4 most (0.66×). Every model listed is below the national rate, so the pattern runs across the range. Model rows compare with cars of the same age and fuel.

Audi models: share of MOT tests failing on Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively
Model	Tests	Failed on it	vs similar cars
Audi A4	527,452	1.40%	0.66×
Audi A2	13,694	2.21%	0.66×
Audi A5	253,626	1.22%	0.63×
Audi TT	229,223	1.47%	0.61×
Audi A3	855,563	1.18%	0.58×
Audi Q7	98,173	1.09%	0.57×
Audi Q3	250,413	0.89%	0.49×
Audi A6	256,000	0.85%	0.45×
Audi A1	431,497	0.84%	0.44×
Audi Q5	213,847	0.74%	0.40×
Audi A7	33,889	0.63%	0.36×
Audi A8	23,929	0.71%	0.35×
Audi e-tron	19,881	0.32%	0.22×
Audi Q2	132,752	0.27%	0.13×

Models with at least 10,000 MOT tests and 30 expected failures on this item. 2023–2024 DVSA data; 73 Auto analysis.

By age at test

The difference is most pronounced at 3-4 years old: 0.35% of Audi tests against 2.25% for comparable cars.

Audi: share of MOT tests failing on Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively by age band, against comparable cars
Age (years)	Audi tests	Audi	Comparable cars
3-4	465,044	0.35%	2.25%
5-6	561,539	0.61%	1.75%
7-8	583,826	0.80%	1.64%
9-10	495,065	1.29%	1.75%
11-12	369,724	1.83%	1.93%
13-15	386,553	1.60%	2.19%
16+	354,084	1.82%	2.91%

Other Audi MOT faults that stand out

Position lamp: not working · 0.34× comparable cars
Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid · 0.59× comparable cars

Limitations

Official data: DVSA's anonymised MOT results (2023–2024), class 4 initial tests, cars at least 2.5 years old. 73 Auto analysis: the comparison rate applies the national rate of this item for each test's own age, mileage band and fuel to the Audi tests. An MOT result reflects maintenance, mileage and how a car is used as well as its design, so this is not a measure of which make is most reliable. The wording of the defect is DVSA's.

Has this Audi failed on it before?

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UK number plate or 17-character VIN

Where these figures come from

Anonymised MOT tests and results (2023 and 2024) — Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). Open Government Licence v3.0.

Figures labelled as 73 Auto estimates are our own analysis of these sources, set out in the methodology and data sources. To report a factual error, see corrections.