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Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron vs VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric carries less risk than the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron: 30/100 versus 43/100 (both moderate risk). The Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire»; the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged cells in the high-voltage battery (January 2021 recall)».

Risk index

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

43

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric

30

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

10 sourcesHow we work

Is the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron reliable?

We have found no documented faults with the electric motor or the power electronics; what is on record are two precautionary high-voltage battery recalls: moisture at the connection (first 2019 units) and cell modules with a risk of overheating (built 2018-2022). Check the chassis number and the battery's state of health.[1][2][3]

See the 2 of the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron faults

Is the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric reliable?

The up! electric drivetrain has few documented faults: the only significant one is a January 2021 recall over damaged cells that affected 213 cars worldwide. The data is scarce because few units were sold.[4][5]

See the 2 of the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron and VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric
Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tronVW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelElectricalElectrical
Displacement——
Timing——
Power249–503 hp54–83 hp
Production2019–2025[6]2013–2023[7][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)43Moderate risk30Moderate risk
Documented faults22
Of high or critical severity21
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Battery cell modules with a risk of overheating and fire
  2. Critical severity: Moisture ingress at the battery connection on the early units (2019)
  1. Critical severity: Damaged cells in the high-voltage battery (January 2021 recall)
  2. Low severity: High-voltage battery discharged after a long period parked
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Q8 e-tron 50 / 55 and SQ8, 95 and 114 kWh gross batteries (2022-2025)[1][2][6]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • e-tron 50 quattro, 71 kWh gross battery (2020-2022)[1][2][9]
  • e-tron 55 quattro and S, 95 kWh gross battery (2019-2022)[1][2][3]
  • e-up! 18.7 kWh, up to 82 hp (2013-2019)[4]
  • e-up!, Citigo e iV and Mii electric 36.8 kWh, 83 hp (2019-2023)[5][10]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric

Other comparisons

With the Audi e-tron / Q8 e-tron

With the VW e-up! / Škoda Citigo e iV / Seat Mii electric

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Audi e-tron (2018 - 2022): recall por sobrecarga térmica de la batería (alerta Safety Gate 8/2024)car-recalls.eu · Other source · published 26 February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026
  2. Audi-Rückruf: Defekte Akkuzellen - Brandgefahr beim E-Tronauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published February 2024 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  3. Schlechter Start: Audi muss verkaufte E-Trons in die Werkstatt rufenWinFuture · General press · published 11 June 2019 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  4. Volkswagen e-up!: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  5. Rückrufaktion bei VW E-Up, Seat Mii und Skoda Citigoauto motor und sport · Motoring press · published January 2021 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  6. Audi e-tron (2018) - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  7. VW e-up! (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  8. Volkswagen e-Up! (Wikipedia, inglés)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
  9. Gebrauchtwagen-Check Audi e-tron (GE): Günstiger als ein elektrischer Fiat Grande PandaAutoScout24 Magazin · Motoring press · published 14 March 2025 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
  10. Fiabilité Volkswagen Up (2011-2023) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French