Petrol Audi A3: MOT pass rate

82.1% of petrol Audi A3s pass the MOT first time, measured across 186,843 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 71,951.

Petrol against the other Audi A3 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Petrol cars avoid the DPF and emissions failures that catch diesels, and usually fail on the same consumables as any other car.

On the Audi A3 specifically, hybrid is the strongest at 87.1%, and this petrol version sits 3.5 points above the 78.6% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

The petrol Audi A3 is the stronger side of this model on MOT data. Still judge the individual car, but the fuel type is a mild point in its favour. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average petrol Audi A3 had covered 71,951 miles at test, against 113,157 for the diesel and 71,494 for the hybrid. That is a shade above the middle of the range, still ordinary wear rather than a red flag, but worth checking against the service book for the car's age.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Audi A3 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a petrol Audi A3

1. Emissions levels exceed default limits, 0.8% of tests (2.22x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 2.9% of tests (1.56x the national rate for this defect)
3. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 1.3% of tests (1.35x the national rate for this defect)
4. A tyre seriously damaged, 3.3% of tests (1.18x the national rate for this defect)
5. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 3.4% of tests
6. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 2.2% of tests
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 1.8% of tests
8. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.7% of tests
9. The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, 1.7% of tests
10. A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc, 1.6% of tests

From 187,750 DVSA-tracked petrol Audi A3 tests, 2024, split out from the Audi A3's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.9% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a petrol Audi A3

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 6.8% of tests (1.32x the national rate for this defect)
2. A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage, 4.9% of tests (1.24x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 10.9% of tests (1.17x the national rate for this defect), also fails
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 26.1% of tests, also fails
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 16.2% of tests, also fails
6. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 12% of tests
7. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 6.6% of tests
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 4.3% of tests
9. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.1% of tests
10. A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened, 3% of tests, also fails

From 187,750 DVSA-tracked petrol Audi A3 tests, 2024.

Other Audi A3 fuel types

• Diesel Audi A3 - 75.1%
• Hybrid Audi A3 - 87.1%

All Audi A3 MOT data · Every model