2021 Audi E-Tron GT Quattro Electric · 4 ACL

A pattern of repeated rear and front inner-tyre wear, culminating in a dangerous ply-and-cords exposure failure just one day before the vehicle finally passed, defines the mechanical story of this e-tron GT. The 2026 test sequence shows that on 6 August the car failed outright due to dangerously exposed cords on both rear inner tyres, with advisories also raised for edge wear on both front inner tyres. A retest the following day recorded a pass with no defects, indicating the failed tyres were replaced in that single-day turnaround. Looking at the wider five-test record, three further advisories have been raised across 2024 and 2025, with two of those specifically concerning rear inner-tyre edge wear in 2025. There has also been a Major defect in 2024 for an electronic stability control switch that was not functioning correctly, which is not a minor item on a high-performance quattro vehicle and warrants follow-up. While the most recent pass is clean, the trend is not entirely reassuring given the proximity of the dangerous failure and the recurring tyre wear observations. At roughly 13,913 miles per year across approximately five years, this Audi has been driven considerably harder than average for its age and class, and the high annual accumulation matters here. The tyre wear pattern is consistent with that usage, as high mileage combined with the instant torque characteristics of an electric powertrain typically accelerates inner-tyre shoulder wear, particularly on a vehicle capable of significant sustained performance. The mileage progression between tests has been steady rather than showing large single-year jumps, indicating consistent use rather than a long off-road period followed by catch-up driving. However, the cumulative effect on suspension, braking components, driveshaft boots, and wheel bearings should be assumed to be further along than on a lower-mileage equivalent, even where no specific component has yet been flagged. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is to verify exactly which tyres were fitted at the 2026 retest, their brand, size, and whether all four corners were replaced or only the rears, as the previous edge-wear pattern suggests an underlying geometry or pressure issue that may simply have been masked by new rubber. On a test drive, listen for any thumping or vibration through the steering wheel at speed, which would point to wheel balance or possibly a buckled wheel, and pay attention to uneven steering pull that could indicate the geometry has not been corrected since the replacements. It is also worth confirming that the 2024 ESC switch fault has been properly diagnosed and rectified, as a recurring stability control warning on the dashboard during a test drive would be a clear sign the underlying issue persists; ask specifically whether the switch itself was replaced or whether a deeper fault in the stability control system was logged by diagnostic equipment. The ESC light should illuminate with ignition and extinguish once moving, and any intermittent reappearance would be a negotiation point. Beyond the tyres and stability control, the high annual mileage warrants a close physical inspection of the components most likely to be approaching their service interval. Check the brake discs through the wheel spokes for a pronounced lip on the outer edge, a sign of pad wear and possible disc replacement soon, and feel for brake judder under medium-to-hard pedal pressure which would indicate disc warping from heavy use. The suspension should be exercised over broken surfaces, listening for clonking or knocking from the front or rear that could indicate worn drop links, control arm bushes, or top mounts. Finally, given the 2024 ESC fault, request that any diagnostic trouble codes stored in the vehicle systems be read and cleared prior to purchase, as intermittent electronic faults on complex Audi systems can resurface without leaving any MOT-visible trace until they progress further.