Audi A3 vs BMW 1 Series

Both are family hatchbacks. First-time MOT failure at age 7, and what each one is known to fail on.

The Audi A3 is the more reliable of the two. It fails its first MOT at age 7 13.9% of the time, against 17.3% for the BMW 1 Series.

Audi A3

13.9%

fail at age 7

Rank 31 of 239 · 62k miles at 7 · 345,773 tests

BMW 1 Series

17.3%

fail at age 7

Rank 101 of 239 · 63k miles at 7 · 343,189 tests

What each one fails on

Measured

The faults each records most at ages 6 to 9. Same figures as each full report.

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakageAdvisory5.5%

A suspension component excessively damaged or corrodedAdvisory2.3%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively wornAdvisory2.0%

Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road usersAdvisory1.6%

A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakenedFail1.2%

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakageFail1.2%

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively wornAdvisory4.1%

Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road usersAdvisory3.9%

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakageAdvisory3.8%

A wheel badly distorted or wear between wheel and hub at spigot mountingAdvisory1.9%

A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LEDFail1.4%

A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakageFail1.3%