Family hatchback · 1996–2021 cars

Audi A3 reliability

The Audi A3 fails 24.4% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 1,423,755 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 67/100#10 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Audi A3 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 24.4%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 19% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 1,423,755; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Audi A3 ranks 10 of 65 family hatchback models for MOT results. Its first-time fail rate is 24.4%, against 28.4% for all cars. Compared with cars of the same age and mileage, it has 19% fewer MOT fails, so it's a sound choice. The year matters too. 2016 models have 35% fewer MOT fails than comparable cars, while 1998 models have 13% more, so check the year before you buy.

Tyres are the weak spot, with 5% more fails than comparable cars. Tyre tread below 1.6mm is one of the most common failures, at 2.52% of tests. Also check the coil spring, the most common failure at 2.75% of tests, plus brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.56%) and CV joint boots that are split or loose (1.51%). A good A3 can still be a great buy if you check these first.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi A3 ages

Each point is the share of Audi A3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi A3All cars

Audi A3 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi A3	All cars
3	10.2%	12.3%
4	10.8%	14.1%
5	11.7%	16.4%
6	13.4%	19.1%
7	15.4%	22.1%
8	18%	25.5%
9	21.4%	28.8%
10	25.5%	31.8%
11	30.2%	34.6%
12	34.2%	37.3%
13	36%	39.5%
14	38%	41.1%
15	39.8%	42.3%
16	41.3%	42.9%
17	42.9%	43.4%
18	44.9%	43.5%
19	45.2%	43.4%
20	44.1%	42.8%
21	43.4%	41.4%
22	41.4%	40.6%
23	38.7%	38.9%
24	42.1%	37.1%
25	43%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Audi A3 years

2016 cars come out best and 1998 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi A3 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 A3	8,897	8.6%	29% fewer fails	27,409
2020 A3	30,419	9.9%	22% fewer fails	29,865
2019 A3	61,114	10.6%	25% fewer fails	34,732
2018 A3	98,834	10.9%	30% fewer fails	39,722
2017 A3	122,750	12.3%	34% fewer fails	48,922
2016 A3	138,221	13.9%	35% fewer fails	57,834
2015 A3	145,317	16.8%	33% fewer fails	67,698
2014 A3	136,316	19.9%	30% fewer fails	78,279
2013 A3	95,189	23.7%	27% fewer fails	90,026
2012 A3	88,344	29.9%	16% fewer fails	99,129
2011 A3	76,104	32.9%	14% fewer fails	108,647
2010 A3	88,524	35.5%	12% fewer fails	108,888
2009 A3	83,675	36.4%	14% fewer fails	117,396
2008 A3	72,681	39.4%	10% fewer fails	123,597
2007 A3	58,853	41.1%	8% fewer fails	131,772
2006 A3	48,522	43.4%	4% fewer fails	134,076
2005 A3	33,730	44.3%	3% fewer fails	137,023
2004 A3	15,403	46.6%	3% more fails	133,873
2003 A3	7,143	44.8%	0% fewer fails	133,992
2002 A3	5,211	44.8%	1% more fails	137,420
2001 A3	3,616	42%	2% fewer fails	127,765
2000 A3	2,220	42.6%	2% more fails	127,528
1999 A3	1,398	38.6%	4% fewer fails	124,961
1998 A3	1,057	42.6%	13% more fails	112,582
1997	211	39.8%	7% more fails	115,697

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi A3

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension8.2%18% below avg
Lights and electrics8.1%34% below avg
Tyres7.2%5% above avg
Brakes5.4%26% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%12% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3%37% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.9%24% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1%10% below avg
Steering0.4%80% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.75% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.52% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.56% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.51% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
5
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.49% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.39% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.36% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.23% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi A3's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.41%
Brake disc pitted or scored8.17%
Brake pads wearing thin7.08%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking6.02%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear4.39%
Shock absorber light oil misting3.63%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi A3

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
4
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi A3 covers about 9,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel50.5%
Petrol48.5%
Hybrid0.9%
Electric0%
LPG0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, White, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 1.7 litres.

Compare

How the Audi A3 compares with its rivals

Audi A3 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A3	24.4%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 1 Series	23.1%	19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen Golf	25.8%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz A-Class	20.6%	9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Honda Civic	32.6%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Focus	31.8%	3% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Vauxhall Astra	34.5%	6% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi A3 questions, answered

Is the Audi A3 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi A3 is better than average: it fails 24.4% of first MOT tests, 19% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 10 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi A3 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A3 are coil spring fractured or broken (2.75% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.52% of tests), brake pads worn below 1.5mm (1.56% of tests). By area, suspension fails 8.2% of its tests.

Which Audi A3 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2016 cars do best (35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1998 cars do worst (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi A3 do a year?

A typical Audi A3 covers about 9,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi A3 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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