Is the Audi A3 ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 422,876 MOT tests, around 56% of Audi A3s still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 31% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 13%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 51% diesel, 48% petrol. Diesel A3s are generally compliant from 2016, while diesel cars from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged. Petrol A3s are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 56%
- Likely charged
- 31%
- Depends on the car
- 13%
- MOT tests analysed
- 422,876
Check a specific A3
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
A3 ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many A3s of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Diesel | Petrol | Hybrid (petrol) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Likely compliant90 tested | Likely compliant522 tested | Likely compliant131 tested |
| 2020 | Likely compliant1,989 tested | Likely compliant12,568 tested | Likely compliant1,410 tested |
| 2019 | Likely compliant4,531 tested | Likely compliant17,148 tested | Likely compliant2 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant4,426 tested | Likely compliant22,446 tested | Likely compliant484 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant11,412 tested | Likely compliant22,290 tested | Likely compliant587 tested |
| 2016 | Likely compliant17,612 tested | Likely compliant21,340 tested | Likely compliant531 tested |
| 2015 | Check exact car22,253 tested | Likely compliant18,770 tested | Likely compliant1,118 tested |
| 2014 | Check exact car23,550 tested | Likely compliant15,936 tested | Likely compliant61 tested |
| 2013 | Likely charged19,752 tested | Likely compliant8,186 tested | – |
| 2012 | Likely charged20,071 tested | Likely compliant6,387 tested | – |
| 2011 | Likely charged16,387 tested | Likely compliant6,078 tested | – |
| 2010 | Likely charged15,989 tested | Likely compliant10,547 tested | – |
| 2009 | Likely charged15,845 tested | Likely compliant8,582 tested | – |
| 2008 | Likely charged13,609 tested | Likely compliant7,702 tested | – |
| 2007 | Likely charged11,092 tested | Likely compliant6,144 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely charged8,442 tested | Likely compliant6,007 tested | – |
| 2005 | Likely charged5,723 tested | Check Euro standard4,316 tested | – |
| 2004 | Likely charged2,392 tested | Check Euro standard2,167 tested | – |
| 2003 | Likely charged997 tested | Check Euro standard1,058 tested | – |
| 2002 | Likely charged619 tested | Check Euro standard919 tested | – |
| 2001 | Likely charged187 tested | Check Euro standard867 tested | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged100 tested | Likely charged630 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged42 tested | Likely charged361 tested | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged20 tested | Likely charged293 tested | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged4 tested | Likely charged116 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the A3
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Diesel (51% of A3s tested): likely compliant from 2016; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Petrol (48% of A3s tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Hybrid (petrol) (1% of A3s tested): every year in our data is likely to comply.
A3s from 2014 and 2015 sit on the boundary (13% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Audi can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how A3s fare at the MOT too: see the Audi A3 MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Audi A3 for London: what the MOT data shows
The Audi A3s in this data were first registered between 1997 and 2021. 2015 was the most common year, with 42,141 tests (10% of the total), and half were registered in 2014 or later.
A3s from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 80% of the time, at an average of 68,216 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 64% of the time with 114,755 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest diesel A3s likely to comply are from 2016. 17,612 of them were tested; 2016 cars passed first time 85% of the time and averaged 60,444 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
On a budget, the oldest petrol A3s likely to comply are from 2006. 6,007 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 56% of the time and averaged 135,201 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the A3's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were suspension: "fractured or broken" (3.4% of tests); tyres: "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" (3.0%); lights and electrics: "not working" (2.7%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 17.1% of tests.
Overall, 75% of A3s passed first time, slightly above the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 85,175 miles on average, more than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Audi models
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.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 422,876 MOT tests say about the Audi A3 and London's ULEZ.
Is the Audi A3 ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 56% of A3s on the road are likely compliant and 31% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol A3 years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol A3s first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel A3 ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel A3s from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific A3 is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
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- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your A3 ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.