2005 Audi A3 · 33,730 MOT tests
2005 Audi A3 reliability
2005 Audi A3s fail 44.3% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 24 A3 years (33,730 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- 44.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 3% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 137,023
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 33,730
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 3% more MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does better)
- 2006 cars: 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Weak spot: wheels, 1% of tests fail here (49% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 68% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Audi A3
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics19.2%
- Suspension18.9%
- Brakes14%
- Body, chassis and structure11.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks9.5%
- Tyres8.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.4%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.11%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.76%
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 4.18%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Stop lamp not working 4.01%
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 3.98%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.28%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.75%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (16.15%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (11.65%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (10.79%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (7.19%) · Coil spring showing some corrosion (7.17%)
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 2005 Audi A3 reliable?
2005 Audi A3s fail 44.3% of first MOT tests, 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 18 of 24 A3 years (33,730 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Audi A3 MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.11% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (4.76% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (4.18% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Audi A3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Audi A3 shows 137,023 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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