MOT performance
Audi Q3 vs BMW X1: MOT pass rates compared
In 2023–2024, 83.8% of 250,413 Audi Q3 MOT tests and 82.8% of 207,572 BMW X1 tests passed first time — 0.9 points in favour of the Audi Q3. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the two fail about as often as each other (0.74× and 0.76× the national rate for comparable cars).
250,413 Audi Q3 and 207,572 BMW X1 MOT tests, 2023–2024
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Audi Q3: first-time pass rate | 83.8% | ±0.1 pts (95%), n = 250,413 |
| BMW X1: first-time pass rate | 82.8% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 207,572 |
| Audi Q3: failures vs similar cars | -26% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| BMW X1: failures vs similar cars | -24% | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Audi Q3: dangerous defect | 5.3% | n = 250,413 |
| BMW X1: dangerous defect | 5.5% | n = 207,572 |
| Average age at test | 6.4 vs 6.8 years | Audi Q3 vs BMW X1 |
Why the raw pass rates can mislead
The BMW X1 was tested at an older average age (6.8 years against 6.4), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.
Failure areas side by side
Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is road wheels, where the BMW X1 fails 3.1 times as often on an adjusted basis.
| Area | Audi Q3 | BMW X1 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.6% (-43%) | 2.9% (-40%) |
| Steering | 0.1% (-87%) | 0.2% (-84%) |
| Suspension | 5.4% (+4%) | 3.7% (-36%) |
| Tyres | 5.6% (-9%) | 6.3% (+4%) |
| Road wheels | 0.1% (-63%) | 0.4% (+15%) |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.7% (-60%) | 4.4% (-39%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 0.6% (-63%) | 0.8% (-56%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 2.1% (-42%) | 2.8% (-25%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.4% (-20%) | 0.9% (-49%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.4% (-26%) | 0.2% (-61%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% (+7%) | 0.2% (-27%) |
Pass rate at the same age
Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.
| Age at test | Audi Q3 | BMW X1 |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 years | 91.4% (n = 50,696) | 89.8% (n = 44,793) |
| 5-6 years | 86.9% (n = 56,452) | 87.0% (n = 53,704) |
| 7-8 years | 81.6% (n = 59,888) | 83.4% (n = 34,745) |
| 9-10 years | 75.4% (n = 47,579) | 74.3% (n = 27,869) |
| 11-12 years | 71.4% (n = 16,096) | 71.1% (n = 22,749) |
Most common failure item
- Audi Q3 · coil spring: fractured or broken (3.35% of tests)
- BMW X1 · condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (2.15% of tests)
MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.
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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.