Audi A3 MOT pass rate: 78.5% (369,274 tests, 2025)

The Audi A3 passed 78.5% of its 369,274 MOT tests in 2025 — 1.0 points above the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 11 years old with 89,880 miles on the clock.
78.5%Pass rate (2025)
369,274MOT tests analysed
89,880 miMedian mileage at test
11 yrsMedian age at test

How the A3 compares

Audi A3

78.5%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

Audi average (all models)

81.8%

What fails most on the Audi A3

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the A3:

#SystemDefects recordedShare
1Suspension53,43428.1%
2Tyres35,51718.7%
3Brakes31,99416.8%
4Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment31,11516.4%
5Noise, emissions and leaks13,1456.9%
6Body, chassis, structure12,5446.6%

Pre-MOT checklist for A3 owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

  • Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
  • Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
  • Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
  • Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
  • A blowing exhaust or visible smoke will fail; warm the engine fully before the test
Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

A3 pass rate by registration year

Lower age-adjusted outliers to inspect carefully: 2002, 2004. Strongest age-adjusted years: 2014, 2015. Full ranking and method: Audi A3 years to avoid.

Registration yearTestsPass rateVs same-ageMedian mileage
2001 2,646 67.2% +0.6 pts 128,342
2002 3,693 64.8% -0.9 pts 135,938
2003 4,828 64.5% -0.5 pts 132,959
2004 10,467 61.6% -2.7 pts 133,182
2005 23,828 64.0% -0.4 pts 137,184
2006 35,677 64.1% -0.3 pts 135,366
2007 43,676 66.4% +1.2 pts 133,074
2008 55,920 66.6% +1.5 pts 126,012
2009 66,243 68.4% +2.0 pts 120,103
2010 73,679 68.4% +1.0 pts 113,344
2011 63,911 70.5% +1.4 pts 113,800
2012 76,314 72.3% +1.1 pts 105,458
2013 81,420 78.3% +5.0 pts 96,528
2014 115,893 82.2% +6.4 pts 84,782
2015 123,925 85.1% +6.4 pts 74,559
2016 115,727 87.2% +5.9 pts 64,458
2017 100,569 88.3% +4.3 pts 55,719
2018 79,981 89.5% +3.1 pts 46,072
2019 61,443 89.7% +1.3 pts 38,664
2020 13,546 90.1% +0.2 pts 30,588

Check a specific A3 before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other Audi models

A476.4% pass rate · 225,890 tests A178.6% pass rate · 218,041 tests A579.6% pass rate · 113,772 tests A682.4% pass rate · 111,230 tests Tt80.1% pass rate · 110,604 tests Q381.6% pass rate · 104,391 tests Q584.6% pass rate · 94,382 tests Q292.0% pass rate · 79,257 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a Audi A3?

In 2025, 78.5% of 369,274 first MOT tests on the Audi A3 were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the A3 fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (28.1% of its recorded defects), followed by tyres.

Is the Audi A3 reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 78.5% it performs above the national average at a median age of 11 years and 89,880 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.