Audi e-tron
Registered from 2018 to 2024.
About this model
The Audi e-tron is a series of electric and hybrid cars shown by Audi from 2009 onwards. In 2012 Audi unveiled a plug-in hybrid version, the A3 Sportback e-tron, released to retail customers in Europe in August 2014, and slated for the U.S. in 2015. A decade after the unveiling of the first e-tron concept at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, Audi's first fully electric e-tron SUV went into production in 2019.
From the Wikipedia article Audi e-tron, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2020 electric. 467 of 5,761 tests failed, 8%.
Better than 52% of 2020 cars. The typical one fails 8%, across 906 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 83% | 388 |
| Visibility | 7% | 35 |
| Lights and electrics | 6% | 30 |
| Plates and identity | 4% | 17 |
| Seat belts and airbags | 3% | 14 |
| Brakes | 2% | 11 |
The defects inspectors cite
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Where it stands out against its peers
- Tyres and wheels: failed more often than 90% of 2020 cars — 83% of its 467 failed tests, where an ordinary 2020 car has 55%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
NHTSA's investigations are American; no European regulator publishes an equivalent record, so this section has nothing to draw on for a European car. There is no European equivalent of the service-bulletin register either.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 83% of its failures
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- Lights and electrics — 6% of its failures
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
- Visibility — 7% of its failures
- Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
When it starts failing
At 60–80k miles this one fails 9% of its inspections, against the 14% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 5% | 1,498 | |
| 20–40k miles | 9% | 10% | 3,442 | |
| 40–60k miles | 9% | 13% | 716 | |
| 60–80k miles | 9% | 14% | 93 |
5,749 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 20k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | electric · 269 hp · 2589 kg · 2928 mm wheelbase · 235 Wh/km |
| 2020 | electric · 2445 kg · 2928 mm wheelbase · 241 Wh/km |
| 2019 | electric · 2565 kg · 2928 mm wheelbase · 174 Wh/km |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00407/24
Voltage losses in individual cell modules of the high-voltage battery may lead to thermal overload. This could lead to an increased risk of fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00504/22
Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01365/21
A weld on the brake booster may be defective, which could cause the brake booster, ABS and ESP to fail. This may lead to increased braking distance and to reduced manoeuvrability of the vehicle when braking, increasing the risk of an accident.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01672/21
Components of the brake pressure unit could corrode over time, which may affect braking assistance, speed indication, the anti-lock braking system and the electronic stability control functions. The vehicle stopping distance is increased. ABS (anti-lock brake system) and ESC (electronic stability control) system failure may reduce the maneuverability of the vehicle when braking, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01789/21
Due to a manufacturing anomaly, a fault is indicated by an error message on the instrument panel. There is a risk that an electronic component of the brake pressure unit may corrode over time and leads to the malfunction of the brake assist system, the vehicle stability systems and the speed display on the instrument panel, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the requirements laid down in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/02637/24
Due to a problem with the screw connection, the push rod linking the brake pedal and brake booster may become disconnected, causing the foot brake to malfunction. This can result in the loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users