1999 Audi A3 · 1,398 MOT tests
1999 Audi A3 reliability
1999 Audi A3s fail 38.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 24 A3 years (1,398 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- 38.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 4% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 23
- 124,961
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 23
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,398
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
1999 against the years either side
- 1998 cars: 13% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 1999 car does better)
- 2000 cars: about average for its age (the 1999 car does better)
- Weak spot: steering, 5.7% of tests fail here (25% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 33% fewer fails than comparable cars.
Common problems
What fails on a 1999 Audi A3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics14.7%
- Suspension11.7%
- Brakes11.4%
- Body, chassis and structure7.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.4%
- Tyres5.7%
- Steering5.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Stop lamp not working 3.29%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Position lamp not working 3.08%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.72%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.58%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Lambda reading outside specified limits 2.43%
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.22%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Brake disc pitted or scored (15.81%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (14.59%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (12.95%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (11.73%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (10.73%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (10.23%)
Other years
Every Audi A3 year
The full picture: Audi A3 reliability. Before you pay for any Audi A3, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 1999 Audi A3 reliable?
1999 Audi A3s fail 38.6% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 24 A3 years (1,398 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 1999 Audi A3 MOT?
Most often stop lamp not working (3.29% of tests), position lamp not working (3.08% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (2.72% of tests).
How many miles should a 1999 Audi A3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 23, a typical 1999 Audi A3 shows 124,961 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
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