Fault File
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Audi A3

All generations and engines together · 345,773 MOT tests in the 2025 data · typical mileage at age 7: 62k

First-time failure at age 7
13.9%
Across 29,311 tests. The average across all tracked models is 19.5%.
Rank at age 7
31 of 239
1 = lowest failure rate among the models tracked.
Typical mileage at age 7
62k miles
Check the mileage view below; low-mileage models can look better by age than they are.

Generation

Split by first-registration year. Cars registered in a changeover year can belong to either generation.

How this model wears

Audi A3Class average, all tracked models

Known issues

Measured

Computed from DVSA MOT results, all of Great Britain, 2025. Nothing here is opinion.

What testers flag

Share of tests where each item was recorded. The dark tick is the class average across all tracked models; bars are scaled within each group.

Faults with the car itself

The rows that judge the model rather than its keeper. 129,290 tests in this band.

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
Advisory
5.5%class 2.3%
A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded
Advisory
2.3%class 0.7%
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
Advisory
2.0%class 5.9%
Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
Advisory
1.6%class 2.0%
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Fail
1.2%class 1.4%
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
Fail
1.2%class 0.4%
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Advisory
1.2%class 1.3%

Wear, upkeep and luck

Tyres, pads and stone chips say more about how the car was driven and maintained than about how it was built.

Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Advisory
26.5%class 22.9%
A tyre seriously damaged
Advisory
15.6%class 13.4%
Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured
Advisory
12.1%class 10.1%
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Advisory
12.1%class 8.7%
Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn
Advisory
3.5%class 3.4%
A tyre seriously damaged
Fail
3.3%class 2.5%
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
Fail
3.2%class 2.2%
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
Minor
2.4%class 2.0%

Unconfirmed issues

Reported

Owner folklore from forums and the motoring press. Most of it never shows up in an MOT, which is why this section exists at all.

Cold-start juddering (“kangarooing”)

Confirmed pattern

The 1.5 evo engine can hesitate and hop when pulling away in the first minutes from cold, mostly on manuals. VW Group acknowledged it in January 2019 and issued a software fix in February 2020; stubborn cases also needed the injector adaptations reset.

Typically from new · fix is free at a dealer · sources: Honest John, Auto Express, UK VW and Audi forums

Water pump and thermostat module

Emerging

A known EA211 weak spot. First signs are a coolant warning, level dropping between services, or weak cabin heat. Reported cluster at 50–90k miles; £350–800 at an independent.

Reported 50–90k miles · sources: engine specialist forums, Golf and Leon owner threads

Cam belt with no change interval

Disputed

Audi UK says the belt is fitted for life (policy since July 2023, previously 5 years). Independent specialists and many owners change it at 8–10 years anyway, around £400–600, because a snapped belt destroys the engine.

Judgement call · sources: Ask Honest John, PistonHeads, Audi-Sport.net

Front suspension knocks and creaks

Partly in the MOT data

Long-running owner complaint: creaks from top mounts, drop links and bushes, often around 60–80k. The measured data partly backs it, with a twist: springs and dampers run above the class average, but bush wear itself stays well below it. The creak is real; the part the forums blame may not be.

Reported 60–80k miles · sources: Audi Owners Club, briskoda (shared parts)

S tronic (DQ200) mechatronic failure

Automatics only

The expensive one on automatic 150PS cars: mechatronic unit failure and clutch-pack judder, £1,000–2,000. Does not apply to manual cars.

Shown because it dominates buying advice for this model

Viewing one? Ask this

Built from the two sections above.

Start it stone cold and pull away gently. Any hopping or hesitation in the first minute is the kangarooing fault.
Ask whether the February 2020 engine software update was applied. A dealer can confirm it against the VIN in minutes.
Check the coolant level and ask about top-ups. A dropping level points at the water pump module.
Ask for cam belt receipts on cars 8 years or older. None? Price a £400–600 change into your offer.
Drive slowly on full lock and listen to the front end. Creaks mean bushes or top mounts.
Look for damper misting and ask if springs were ever replaced. Shocks and springs are the only MOT items where this model runs worse than its class.
Read the MOT history, not just the pass. The same advisory three years running means nobody is fixing anything.

Others in its class

Same segment (Family hatchbacks), best MOT record first. Compare before you shortlist.

Lexus CT11.9%Toyota Prius12.7%BMW i313.9%Volkswagen Golf14.6%Hyundai Ioniq16.2%Honda Civic16.4%See all Family hatchbacksreliability ranked

How it compares

Head to head with the other popular cars in its class on reliability and common faults.

vs Ford Focusvs Volkswagen Golfvs Vauxhall Astravs BMW 1 Seriesvs Mercedes A-Classvs SEAT Leonvs Honda Civic