2008 Audi A3 · 72,681 MOT tests
2008 Audi A3 reliability
2008 Audi A3s fail 39.4% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 24 A3 years (72,681 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- 39.4%
- first-time fail rate (all Audi A3s: 24.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 10% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- 123,597
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 15
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 72,681
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2008 against the years either side
- 2007 cars: 8% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does better)
- 2009 cars: 14% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2008 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 8.8% of tests fail here (13% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: windscreen, wipers and mirrors, 30% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2008 car carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
Common problems
What fails on a 2008 Audi A3
Fail rate by area
- Suspension16.8%
- Lights and electrics16.2%
- Brakes10%
- Body, chassis and structure8.8%
- Tyres8.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks6.1%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.8%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Coil spring fractured or broken 5.89%
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 5.42%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 3.62%
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 3.25%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.18%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Stop lamp not working 3.02%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.46%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (9.7%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (9.01%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (8.91%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (6.65%) · Brake pads wearing thin (6.3%)
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 2008 Audi A3 reliable?
2008 Audi A3s fail 39.4% of first MOT tests, 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 14 of 24 A3 years (72,681 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2008 Audi A3 MOT?
Most often coil spring fractured or broken (5.89% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (5.42% of tests), anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed (3.62% of tests).
How many miles should a 2008 Audi A3 have done?
At its MOT aged about 15, a typical 2008 Audi A3 shows 123,597 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2008 car?
A car first registered in 2008 carries a 57 plate (January–February 2008), or a 08 plate (March–August 2008), or a 58 plate (September–December 2008).
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