Comparison · family SUVs

Kia Sportage vs Audi Q3: which is more reliable?

The Audi Q3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 107 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 400,585 real MOT tests in 2024.

Kia Sportage

98About average
MOT tests272,202

Audi Q3

107Above average
MOT tests128,383

By age

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

Age at testKia SportageAudi Q3
3–5 years
97Below average
106Above average
6–9 years
100About average
107Above average
10–14 years
97Below average
110Well above average
15+ years
89Well below average
–

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearKia SportageAudi Q3
202184.5%91.0%
202084.6%92.4%
201983.4%90.5%
201882.8%87.4%
201780.2%85.5%
201677.2%82.2%
201572.5%78.8%
201470.9%76.0%
201362.1%73.6%
201261.1%71.4%
201160.0%70.9%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaKia SportageAudi Q3
Brakes12.73.5
Tyres6.96.3
Suspension5.96.3
Lights & electrics6.43.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.92.3
Emissions & leaks2.01.8
Steering2.20.2
Body & chassis0.90.7

Kia Sportage: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick3.3%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.3%
  3. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.0%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements1.5%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play1.2%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.0%

Audi Q3: top failures

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

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Kia Sportage or the Audi Q3?

The Audi Q3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 107 against 98 for the Kia Sportage, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Kia Sportage and Audi Q3 can be compared?

Both were tested for 11 registration years (2011–2021). The Kia Sportage had the higher pass rate in 0 of them and the Audi Q3 in 11.

What fails most on each?

Kia Sportage: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Audi Q3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.