Audi A3 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 422,876 MOT tests on the Audi A3 carried out in 2023. 25% failed at the first attempt, which is slightly below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 A3s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1997 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2014 models did best (79% passed, +7.4 points against the average for 9-year-old cars), while 1998 models fared worst (57%, −6.6 points). Tested cars had covered 85,175 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was suspension, found on 8.6% of tests (roughly in line with the 8.9% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 3.4% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 422,876
- First-time pass rate
- 75%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +3.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 85,175
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular A3?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
A3 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 743 | 93% | 91% | +2.6 points | 24,379 |
| 2020 | 15,967 | 89% | 88% | +1.6 points | 25,481 |
| 2019 | 21,681 | 88% | 86% | +2.3 points | 34,189 |
| 2018 | 27,356 | 88% | 84% | +4.1 points | 41,695 |
| 2017 | 34,289 | 87% | 82% | +4.9 points | 51,547 |
| 2016 | 39,483 | 85% | 79% | +6.5 points | 60,444 |
| 2015 | 42,141 | 82% | 75% | +6.8 points | 70,890 |
| 2014 | 39,547 | 79% | 72% | +7.4 points | 81,105 |
| 2013 | 27,938 | 75% | 68% | +6.3 points | 92,377 |
| 2012 | 26,458 | 69% | 66% | +3.4 points | 101,908 |
| 2011 | 22,465 | 66% | 63% | +2.7 points | 111,101 |
| 2010 | 26,536 | 63% | 60% | +2.6 points | 111,515 |
| 2009 | 24,429 | 63% | 59% | +3.5 points | 118,714 |
| 2008 | 21,312 | 59% | 57% | +1.7 points | 124,941 |
| 2007 | 17,237 | 58% | 57% | +1.4 points | 132,347 |
| 2006 | 14,450 | 56% | 56% | +0.2 points | 135,201 |
| 2005 | 10,039 | 55% | 56% | −0.8 points | 137,728 |
| 2004 | 4,559 | 51% | 56% | −4.5 points | 135,623 |
| 2003 | 2,056 | 54% | 57% | −2.7 points | 138,330 |
| 2002 | 1,539 | 54% | 58% | −3.6 points | 139,250 |
| 2001 | 1,055 | 57% | 59% | −1.4 points | 129,553 |
| 2000 | 730 | 58% | 61% | −2.1 points | 129,884 |
| 1999 | 403 | 63% | 62% | +0.3 points | 130,073 |
| 1998 | 314 | 57% | 64% | −6.6 points | 121,567 |
| 1997 | 120 | 59% | 64% | −5.3 points | 116,992 |
Why the Audi A3 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | A3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 8.6% | 8.9% |
| Lights and electrics | 8.2% | 11.3% |
| Tyres | 7.6% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 5.7% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 3.2% | 4.8% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.1% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 2.9% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.1% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.4% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken3.4%
- 2tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.0%
- 3not working2.7%
- 4ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.7%
- 5less than 1.5 mm thick1.9%
- 6inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
- 7constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.8%
- 8has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- 9projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.6%
- 10has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Common A3 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used A3, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 17.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 9.8% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.7% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 7.2% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 5.4% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 4.3% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.9% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.8% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.8% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 2.7% |
Tips to help your A3 pass
Based on where A3s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 8.2% of A3 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 5.7% of A3 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the A3 ULEZ compliant? See the Audi A3 ULEZ check, or view all Audi models.
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 422,876 first MOT tests of the Audi A3 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 422,876 first MOT tests of the Audi A3.
What is the Audi A3 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 25% of 422,876 first MOT attempts on the Audi A3 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Audi A3 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were suspension (8.6% of tests), lights and electrics (8.2% of tests), tyres (7.6% of tests).
Which A3 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2014 cars performed best: 79% passed first time, +7.4 points against the average for 9-year-old cars. The weakest was 1998, at 57% (−6.6 points).
How many miles had a typical Audi A3 covered at its MOT?
The average was 85,175 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 24,379 miles and 1997 cars 116,992.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Audi A3?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 17.1% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.6% of A3s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific A3's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 422,876 A3s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 51% to 93% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any A3's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.