Audi A3: what fails at MOT
625,000 MOT tests on the Audi A3 in 2024, counted. 21.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
21.8% of Audi A3 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 26.8%, so the A3 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (4.9% of tests), lights and electrics (4.6% of tests) and tyres (4.6% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 34,431 | 9.5% | 10.9% | 25,800 18,300 to 35,500 |
| 2020 | 27,032 | 9.7% | 11.5% | 30,300 22,400 to 40,100 |
| 2019 | 33,273 | 9.7% | 13.4% | 38,900 28,700 to 50,800 |
| 2018 | 43,479 | 10.4% | 15.6% | 46,300 35,400 to 60,000 |
| 2017 | 53,824 | 11.9% | 18.2% | 55,300 42,600 to 71,000 |
| 2016 | 58,939 | 13.5% | 21.3% | 64,500 49,600 to 81,100 |
| 2015 | 60,520 | 16.5% | 24.4% | 74,000 56,400 to 94,200 |
| 2014 | 56,812 | 19.6% | 27.7% | 84,300 64,500 to 107,400 |
| 2013 | 39,019 | 22.8% | 30.6% | 95,700 73,800 to 120,400 |
| 2012 | 35,142 | 30.0% | 33.4% | 104,900 81,300 to 130,800 |
| 2011 | 30,507 | 32.2% | 36.1% | 113,400 88,200 to 141,400 |
| 2010 | 34,352 | 35.0% | 38.6% | 113,900 89,000 to 140,700 |
| 2009 | 33,526 | 35.3% | 39.8% | 122,400 96,800 to 149,600 |
| 2008 | 28,235 | 37.9% | 41.5% | 127,400 101,400 to 154,500 |
| 2007 | 22,191 | 39.9% | 41.5% | 135,500 108,400 to 163,000 |
| 2006 | 17,258 | 42.7% | 42.4% | 136,600 108,800 to 165,700 |
| 2005 | 11,432 | 43.5% | 42.2% | 138,400 109,900 to 166,900 |
| 2004 | 4,914 | 44.0% | 42.3% | 133,600 104,400 to 163,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Audi A3 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | A3 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 4.9% | 5.9% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 4.6% | 7.3% |
| Tyres | 4.6% | 4.3% |
| Brakes Less than most | 3.3% | 4.4% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.8% | 2.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.7% | 3.0% |
| Body and structure | 1.7% | 2.2% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 0.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.0%
- Headlamp aim2.0%
- Tyre tread1.8%
- Coil spring1.7%
- Brake pads1.2%
- Engine warning light1.1%
- Driveshaft joint1.1%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover1.0%
- Footbrake1.0%
- Washers0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect0.9%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.7%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.9%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement3.3%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil2.8%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.4%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Audi A3's own MOT record
Looking at a A3? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.