Audi A3 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Audi A3 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 422,593 UK MOT tests of the Audi A3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt): recorded on 3.7% of tests of 2009–2011 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 6.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (3.6×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.4×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (3.1×). The most common reasons a Audi A3 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Audi A3
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Audi A3 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2009–2011 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.7% | 0.6% | 6.2× | 1,253 |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 5.4% | 1.5% | 3.6× | 6,855 |
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2004–2006 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 9.1% | 2.7% | 3.4× | 1,619 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2020–2022 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.3% | 1.4% | 3.1× | 1,507 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 5.9% | 2.6% | 2.3× | 6,855 |
| Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3% | 1.2% | 2.5× | 1,915 |
| Individual direction indicators: slightly discoloured | Advisory | 2010–2012 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 3.3% | 1.3% | 2.5× | 1,500 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2007–2009 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.2% | 4.3% | 1.9× | 11,500 |
Audi A3 by mileage (2015–2017 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 2,941 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 21,376 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (10%) | — |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 38,104 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (14%) | — |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 29,061 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (4.8%, 1.7×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 14,304 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (6.3%, 1.9×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 6,043 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (6.8%, 1.9×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 2,540 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (7.1%, 2×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 1,001 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (8%, 2.3×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 515 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil (7.8%, 2.4×) |
Audi A3 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 402 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.1×) |
| 2000 | 728 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.1×) |
| 2001 | 1,052 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2×) |
| 2002 | 1,533 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.3×) |
| 2003 | 2,051 | Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.3×) |
| 2004 | 4,545 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.2×) |
| 2005 | 10,024 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.8×) |
| 2006 | 14,429 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.2×) |
| 2007 | 17,209 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (2.8×) |
| 2008 | 21,299 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (1.9×) |
| 2009 | 24,413 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (5.7×) |
| 2010 | 26,521 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (6.2×) |
| 2011 | 22,456 | Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (3.9×) |
| 2012 | 26,444 | Linkage ball joints: ball joint has slight play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (1.9×) |
| 2013 | 27,930 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (1.7×) |
| 2014 | 39,529 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.1×) |
| 2015 | 42,126 | Tyres (condition): has a cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (2.5×) |
| 2016 | 39,474 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.4×) |
| 2017 | 34,285 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (3.4×) |
| 2018 | 27,353 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (2.8×) |
| 2019 | 21,680 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (2.7×) |
| 2020 | 15,917 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.9×) |
| 2021 | 733 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.2×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Audi A3?
In 422,593 UK MOT tests of the Audi A3 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt): recorded on 3.7% of tests of 2009–2011 cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km), 6.2× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: suspension arm (corroded but not seriously weakened) (3.6×); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (3.4×); shock absorbers (light misting of oil) (3.1×). The most common reasons a Audi A3 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Why do Audi A3s fail the MOT?
Across 422,593 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Audi A3 were coil spring (fractured or broken) (5.7% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (3.2% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (7.2% of tests).
At what mileage do Audi A3 problems start?
The clearest Audi A3-specific issue, linkage ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt), peaks against other cars at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) on 2009–2011 cars (3.7% of tests vs 0.6% for all cars that age).
Where does this Audi A3 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 422,593 tests of the Audi A3. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.