Audi A3
Registered from 1996 to 2022.
About this model
The Audi A3 is a small family car (C-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automaker Audi AG since September 1996.
From the Wikipedia article Audi A3, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2014 2.0 diesel. 2,398 of 15,299 tests failed, 16%.
Better than 58% of 2014 cars. The typical one fails 17%, across 870 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 40% | 971 |
| Suspension | 36% | 854 |
| Brakes | 24% | 577 |
| Lights and electrics | 17% | 402 |
| Exhaust and emissions | 9% | 223 |
| Visibility | 8% | 194 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 40% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A tyre cords visible or damaged
- Suspension — 36% of its failures
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- Brakes — 24% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Exhaust and emissions — 9% of its failures
- Lights and electrics — 17% of its failures
- A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- Visibility — 8% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 15% of its inspections, against the 24% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 7% | 51 | |
| 20–40k miles | 8% | 11% | 456 | |
| 40–60k miles | 12% | 15% | 1,745 | |
| 60–80k miles | 16% | 19% | 3,667 | |
| 80–100k miles | 17% | 21% | 4,001 | |
| 100–120k miles | 16% | 23% | 2,742 | |
| 120–140k miles | 17% | 23% | 1,488 | |
| 140–160k miles | 15% | 23% | 690 | |
| 160–180k miles | 17% | 23% | 275 | |
| 180–200k miles | 23% | 23% | 125 | |
| 200k+ miles | 15% | 24% | 54 |
15,294 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.5 petrol · 148 hp · 1386 kg · 2619 mm wheelbase · 5.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 1.5 petrol · 1395 kg · 2618 mm wheelbase · 5.4 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 1.5 petrol · 148 hp · 1375 kg · 7.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2018 | 1.5 petrol · 148 hp · 1316 kg · 2621 mm wheelbase · 6.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 2.0 petrol · 188 hp · 1431 kg · 2621 mm wheelbase · 5.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 1.4 petrol · 139 hp · 1324 kg · 2621 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 1.4 petrol · 134 hp · 1312 kg · 2620 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 157 hp · 1444 kg · 2620 mm wheelbase · 4.4 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 153 hp · 1436 kg · 2608 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 146 hp · 1458 kg · 2578 mm wheelbase · 4.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 149 hp · 1461 kg · 2578 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2010 | 2.0 diesel · 1559 kg · 2578 mm wheelbase · 5.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00667/22
The fuse in the high-voltage (HV) system may have been produced with an insufficient amount of extinguishing sand. In the event of a short circuit in the high-voltage system, a voltage flashover could occur inside the vehicle and subsequently pose a risk of fire and injuries. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of Motor Vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01247/22
Deviations in the manufacturing process may result in either of the front seat belt reels not achieving full restraint, increasing the risk of injury in the event of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01381/22
Improper folding of the airbag may impede the deployment of the passenger side airbag in the event of an accident. A rip could occur in the airbag leading to insufficient protection, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01389/21
The bolt of the pressure-input shaft situated between the electromechanical brake servo and the brake pedal may come loose.As a result, the mechanical connection between the brake pedal and thebrake servo would no longer be guaranteed, increasing the risk of anaccident.In the event of an emergency, the vehicle can be immobilised by activating the electronic parking brake. The product does not meet the requirements set out in the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01957/24
The propellant in the driver airbag may deteriorate over time. If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments from the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0650/18
The adhesive attaching the windscreen is not sufficiently secure. In the event of an accident, the protective effect of the passenger airbag could be compromised.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0714/17
The power supply to components of the ABS/ESP control unit may fail. This could lead to the vehicle stability control function not working when required in dynamic driving situations, such as over-steering, under-steering or emergency braking.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0834/19
The handheld control unit for throttle and brake may develop a fracture in a welded joint in the relay mechanism. If this damage occurs this may lead to impaired functioning or even failure of the brake and gas control via the manual control device.
Recall of the product from end users
1 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.