2006 Audi A3 · 48,522 MOT tests
2006 Audi A3 reliability
2006 Audi A3s fail 43.4% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 24 A3 years (48,522 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- 43.4%
- 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 17
- 134,076
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 48,522
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2006 against the years either side
- 2005 cars: 3% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does better)
- 2007 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2006 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 11.4% of tests fail here (22% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 71% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2006 car carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
Common problems
What fails on a 2006 Audi A3
Fail rate by area
- Suspension19.3%
- Lights and electrics18.2%
- Brakes12.3%
- Body, chassis and structure11.4%
- Tyres9.1%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks8.8%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.08%
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%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
Stop lamp not working 4.43%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 4.42%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 4.22%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.43%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (18.61%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.9%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.8%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.46%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.58%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (6.57%)
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 2006 Audi A3 reliable?
2006 Audi A3s fail 43.4% of first MOT tests, 4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 17 of 24 A3 years (48,522 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2006 Audi A3 MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.08% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (5% of tests), stop lamp not working (4.43% of tests).
How many miles should a 2006 Audi A3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2006 Audi A3 shows 134,076 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2006 car?
A car first registered in 2006 carries a 55 plate (January–February 2006), or a 06 plate (March–August 2006), or a 56 plate (September–December 2006).
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