Comparison · family SUVs

Audi Q3 vs Toyota RAV4: which is more reliable?

The Audi Q3 and Toyota RAV4 are very close at the MOT: scores of 107 and 108. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car. Based on 256,158 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi Q3

107Above average

MOT tests128,383

Toyota RAV4

108Well above average

MOT tests127,775

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	Audi Q3	Toyota RAV4
3–5 years	106Above average	106Above average
6–9 years	107Above average	107Above average
10–14 years	110Well above average	115Well above average
15+ years	–	107Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Audi Q3	Toyota RAV4
2021	91.0%	92.1%
2020	92.4%	91.3%
2019	90.5%	90.9%
2018	87.4%	85.8%
2017	85.5%	84.3%
2016	82.2%	84.3%
2015	78.8%	81.4%
2014	76.0%	79.6%
2013	73.6%	78.3%
2012	71.4%	74.9%
2011	70.9%	69.7%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Audi Q3	Toyota RAV4
Suspension	6.3	9.6
Lights & electrics	3.3	11.0
Brakes	3.5	8.5
Tyres	6.3	4.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	2.3	4.4
Emissions & leaks	1.8	3.8
Body & chassis	0.7	3.3
Seat belts & airbags	0.4	1.2

Audi Q3: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken3.1%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed0.9%

Toyota RAV4: top failures

Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.2%
Position lamp: not working2.1%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.5%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.1%
Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi Q3 or the Toyota RAV4?

The Audi Q3 and Toyota RAV4 are very close at the MOT: scores of 107 and 108. Pick on the condition and history of the actual car.

Which years of the Audi Q3 and Toyota RAV4 can be compared?

Both were tested for 11 registration years (2011–2021). The Audi Q3 had the higher pass rate in 4 of them and the Toyota RAV4 in 7.

What fails most on each?

Audi Q3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Toyota RAV4: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.