Audi A3 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Audi A3. Check any A3 by registration number below.

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75.4%

Avg Pass Rate

-14.3%

vs Audi Avg

Year Ranges

Good

Reliability

Audi A3 — MOT Reliability Overview

The Audi A3 has an average MOT pass rate of 75.4%, which is 14.3 percentage points below the Audi brand average of 89.7%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your A3 on the road.

The most common reasons a Audi A3 fails its MOT are warning device shows system malfunction, lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning. If you are preparing your A3 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Typical mileage for the A3 is around 42,000 miles at 5 years. When evaluating a used A3, compare the odometer reading against these benchmarks. Significantly lower mileage than expected could indicate a clocked vehicle — run a free mileage check to verify.

Before buying a used Audi A3, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Audi A3 performs at MOT across different model years.

2022

Based on 74 vehicles

98.6%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

2021

Based on 527 vehicles

94.3%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

5.0%

Mileage at 3yr

42k mi

2020

Based on 13,940 vehicles

91.6%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.8%

Retest Rate

8.4%

Mileage at 3yr

41k mi

Mileage at 5yr

70k mi

2019

Based on 58,869 vehicles

91.3%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.3%

Retest Rate

9.4%

Mileage at 3yr

43k mi

Mileage at 5yr

67k mi

2018

Based on 76,495 vehicles

90.9%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

9.7%

Mileage at 5yr

67k mi

2017

Based on 95,331 vehicles

89.8%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.7%

Retest Rate

11.0%

Mileage at 5yr

77k mi

2016

Based on 107,001 vehicles

88.8%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.8%

Retest Rate

11.9%

2015

Based on 112,718 vehicles

86.7%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.1%

Retest Rate

14.0%

Mileage at 10yr

137k mi

2014

Based on 105,545 vehicles

83.9%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.5%

Retest Rate

17.1%

Mileage at 10yr

141k mi

2013

Based on 74,036 vehicles

80.3%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

5.3%

Retest Rate

20.7%

Mileage at 10yr

150k mi

2012

Based on 67,626 vehicles

74.7%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.4%

Retest Rate

26.3%

Mileage at 10yr

157k mi

2011

Based on 56,905 vehicles

72.7%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.5%

Retest Rate

27.5%

2010

Based on 65,057 vehicles

69.9%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.8%

Retest Rate

29.7%

2009

Based on 60,150 vehicles

69.9%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.7%

Retest Rate

29.0%

2008

Based on 51,358 vehicles

68.2%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.6%

Retest Rate

28.5%

2007

Based on 40,580 vehicles

67.5%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.9%

Retest Rate

28.8%

2006

Based on 32,763 vehicles

65.3%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

7.7%

Retest Rate

30.3%

2005

Based on 22,125 vehicles

64.5%Below Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

7.5%

Retest Rate

29.7%

2004

Based on 9,945 vehicles

62.8%Below Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

7.1%

Retest Rate

29.0%

2003

Based on 4,597 vehicles

65.1%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.3%

Retest Rate

27.9%

2002

Based on 3,336 vehicles

64.1%Below Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

6.1%

Retest Rate

29.5%

2001

Based on 2,392 vehicles

67.1%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

5.8%

Retest Rate

24.0%

2000

Based on 88,000 vehicles

0.8%Poor

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

0.1%

Mileage at 3yr

24k mi

Mileage at 5yr

42k mi

Mileage at 10yr

80k mi

1999

Based on 1,086 vehicles

66.3%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.9%

Retest Rate

27.2%

1998

Based on 990 vehicles

62.5%Below Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

27.9%

1997

Based on 4,571 vehicles

89.7%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.9%

Retest Rate

36.0%

1996

Based on 1,305 vehicles

88.6%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

1995

Based on 107 vehicles

89.7%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

0

Based on 493,202 vehicles

81.8%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Mileage at 5yr

90k mi

Top MOT Failures — Audi A3

The most common reasons a Audi A3 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

Warning device shows system malfunction

3.5%

Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer

3.2%

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

2.9%

A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc

2.9%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

2.6%

Audi A3 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Typical Mileage — Audi A3

Average mileage readings recorded at MOT tests for the 2000 model year range. Use these benchmarks to evaluate a used A3.

At 3 Years

24,000

miles

At 5 Years

42,000

miles

At 10 Years

80,000

miles

Other Audi Models

Compare MOT reliability across Audi models.

Audi A5 S Ln Blk Ed 35 Tfsi Mhev Sa

90.3% pass rate

Audi A6 Aroad Sport 55tfsi Mhev Q A

89.5% pass rate

Audi All Road Avant

82.6% pass rate

Audi Rs 4 Vorsprung Tfsi Quattro A

94.7% pass rate

Audi E-tron S Quattro

82.6% pass rate

Audi TT

69.5% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Audi A3

Audi A3 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Audi A3 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi A3?

The average MOT pass rate for the Audi A3 is 75.4% compared to the Audi average of 89.7%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Audi A3?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A3 are: Warning device shows system malfunction (3.5%), Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer (3.2%), A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (2.9%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Audi A3 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 75.4%, the Audi A3 is rated as "Good" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a Audi A3?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Audi A3?

Typical mileage for the Audi A3: 42,012 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used A3 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Audi A3's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.