2003 Audi A3 · 7,143 MOT tests
2003 Audi A3 reliability
2003 Audi A3s fail 44.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 24 A3 years (7,143 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
- 0% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 133,992
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 7,143
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does better)
- 2004 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: number plates and vin, 1% of tests fail here (20% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 16% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Audi A3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics23.7%
- Suspension17.3%
- Brakes15%
- Body, chassis and structure8.8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.8%
- Tyres7.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors6.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 5.28%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Coil spring fractured or broken 4.91%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
CV joint boot split or insecure 4.03%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Position lamp not working 3.63%
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 3.47%
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 3.25%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.14%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (13.69%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (11.93%) · Brake pipes corroded and greasy (11.44%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (11.34%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (8.69%)
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 2003 Audi A3 reliable?
2003 Audi A3s fail 44.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 24 A3 years (7,143 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Audi A3 MOT?
Most often headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (5.28% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.91% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (4.03% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Audi A3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Audi A3 shows 133,992 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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