2022 Audi Q3 Technik 35 Tfsi 1.5L Petrol · RF71 AOL

A single dangerous failure for severely worn rear inner brake pads on both sides, recorded just six days before a subsequent clean pass on 4 February 2026, defines the mechanical narrative of this 2022 Audi Q3. The original test on 29 January 2026 failed on the rear inner pads measuring less than 1.5 mm, the threshold below which components are deemed dangerous rather than merely defective, and the immediate retest six days later shows that the pads were replaced and the vehicle subsequently passed with no further advisories. The earlier 2025 test on 13 February was similarly clean, recording no advisories at all, which means that the rear braking wear developed within the year between tests and was not flagged as borderline on the previous inspection. There is no pattern of recurring corrosion, suspension, or structural advisories in the history, so the only standing concern in the file relates to the rate at which the rear brake pads wore through to a dangerous condition. With 26,498 miles recorded on a four-year-old vehicle, the Q3 has covered roughly 6,600 miles per year on average, which sits within the normal bracket for its age and does not indicate either heavy commercial use or extended standing. There are no extended gaps between tests, no periods off the road, and no unusual mileage jumps across the recorded entries, so the usage profile is consistent and steady. At this annual mileage the braking system has been exercised regularly, which is healthy for preventing corrosion on the discs and caliper slides, but the rear pad wear rate observed between February 2025 and January 2026 is notable given that only around 6,000 to 7,000 miles were likely covered in that interval. This suggests either an aggressive rear bias on the electronic brake force distribution, seized rear caliper slider pins preventing even wear, or simply that the pads were approaching end-of-life and were not checked during the prior MOT. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority is a thorough physical check of the rear braking system, particularly the inner pads, caliper slider pins, and the rear discs for lipping or corrosion, as the MOT only records thickness at a single point in time and inner pad wear can accelerate quickly once the outer material has been worn down. On a test drive, listen for any scraping or grinding from the rear wheels during low-speed manoeuvres and feel for the parking brake pulling to one side, as rear caliper binding is a common cause of uneven inner pad wear on Audis of this generation. Inspect the rear discs through the wheel spokes for a pronounced outer lip and a blueing or heat-marked finish, both indicators that the caliper has been dragging. Also confirm that the warning light for brake pad wear is not currently illuminated on the dashboard and that the fluid has been changed within the recommended interval. Beyond the brakes, the absence of any advisories on suspension components, wishbones, anti-roll bar links, or coil springs means there is no specific MOT-flagged geometry to chase, although it is still sensible to push firmly on each corner of the vehicle and release it to check for any clonks or excessive bouncing that would indicate worn bushes or dampers. With the rear brake job now completed and documented by a clean pass, the remaining mechanical picture from the MOT file is largely neutral, but the rapid pad wear should prompt a closer inspection of the caliper mechanism and a request for any servicing invoices covering the recent brake replacement to verify the quality of components fitted.