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Audi A3 reliability by build year

Coverage 2003-present3 named generationsfamily hatchbackHatchbackDIESEL / PETROL / HYBRID ELECTRIC
At a glance

Audi A3 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Audi A3 models built around 2018 fail their MOT a little less often than similar cars the same age.

Check an Audi A3 by number plate

Key figure

12% of MOT tests on Audi A3 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi A3 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Audi A3's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Shock absorbers

Worth checking

Bounce-test each corner; check for oily streaks down the strut bodies.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your A3's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

A3 8Y

8Y (2020-present)

Average
PETROLHYBRID ELECTRICDIESEL

10.5% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 14,385 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A3 8V

8V (2012-2019)

Excellent
PETROLHYBRID ELECTRICDIESEL

12.1% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 34,120 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A3 8P

8P (2003-2011)

Too close to call between ratings
PETROLDIESEL

27.2% fail rate, built around 2011 (14 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 29%)

From 28,941 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Audi A3.

See every build year for the Audi A3

Side-by-side

Audi A3 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
8Y (2020-present)
Average
Average10.5%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 14,385 MOT tests at this age
8V (2012-2019)
Excellent
Excellent12.1%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 34,120 MOT tests at this age
8P (2003-2011)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings27.2%built around 2011 (14 years old)from 28,941 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the A3, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Audi A3 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Audi A3 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
21,40710.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
22,61810.2%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
17,79111.3%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
27,57812.2%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
34,12012.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
43,18713.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
46,47015.2%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
51,16117.4%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
42,44719.6%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
33,02923.2%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
32,04626.4%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
28,94127.2%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
29,91928.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
24,55328.6%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
20,42730.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
15,08931.3%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
11,29531.7%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
6,54432.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
2,35632.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,62931.7%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,12728.3%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
73529.4%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,05729.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 20 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Audi A3 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Audi models

5th of 12

5th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against other hatchbacks

7th of 84

7th lowest fail rate of 84 hatchbacks with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against the UK average

12.1%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Audi A3 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Audi A3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.0%
    Advisory: 8,828Fail: 928 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    11.7%
    Advisory: 4,235Fail: 535 (11% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    9.9%
    Advisory: 4,158Fail: 918 (18% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    7.0%
    Advisory: 3,255Fail: 33 (1% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Shock absorber has a light misting of oil

    4.5%
    Advisory: 1,631Fail: 270 (14% of the times it was found)

Based on 34,120 MOT tests on 7-year-old Audi A3 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Audi A3 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres43%
  2. Other + Tyres17%
  3. Suspension + Tyres17%
  4. Tyres + Windscreen & wipers12%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 6,812 MOT tests on Audi A3 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

92%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · The same

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

26 recalls in all

23 of the 26 Audi A3 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 6 Critical
  • 17 more

Top concerns

  • Stop-drive Takata PSAN
  • Starter motor may malfunction and overheat
  • Passenger airbag may not deploy as intended

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks to compare

  1. 1

    Suzuki SX4

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.5%

    No clear edge over the Audi A3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,314 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    No clear edge over the Audi A3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    50,561 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Fiat 500

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    16.9%

    No clear edge over the Audi A3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,235 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    MG 3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.1%

    No clear edge over the Audi A3 on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    3,383 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A3 across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. It has the 5th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 34,120 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Audi A3 ever sold: 515,526 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 34,120 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.