2002 Audi A3 · 5,211 MOT tests
2002 Audi A3 reliability
2002 Audi A3s fail 44.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 24 A3 years (5,211 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- 44.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 1% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- 137,420
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 20
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 5,211
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2002 against the years either side
- 2001 cars: about average for its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- 2003 cars: about average for its age (the 2002 car does worse)
- Weak spot: steering, 7.1% of tests fail here (35% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: seat belts and airbags, 11% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2002 car carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
Common problems
What fails on a 2002 Audi A3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics24.5%
- Suspension16.5%
- Brakes13.9%
- Body, chassis and structure10.7%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.7%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%
- Steering7.1%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 5.12%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.01%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.93%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Position lamp not working 4.62%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Stop lamp not working 4.36%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 4.11%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (17.56%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.64%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.43%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.74%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.04%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (9.77%)
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 2002 Audi A3 reliable?
2002 Audi A3s fail 44.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 21 of 24 A3 years (5,211 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2002 Audi A3 MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (5.12% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5.01% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.93% of tests).
How many miles should a 2002 Audi A3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 20, a typical 2002 Audi A3 shows 137,420 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2002 car?
A car first registered in 2002 carries a 51 plate (January–February 2002), or a 02 plate (March–August 2002), or a 52 plate (September–December 2002).
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