1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Audi A3 MOT pass rate and common faults

280 MOT tests in 2024. 61.8% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

98Below average
Passed first time61.8%
Failed or needed repairs38.2%
Typical mileage at test129,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 280 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.2%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.2%
  3. Steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.9%
  4. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.9%
  5. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.5%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.5%
  7. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.1%
    19 marked dangerous
  8. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits2.1%
  9. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.1%
  10. Stop lamp: not working2.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics19.3%
  2. Brakes16.8%
  3. Emissions & leaks11.4%
  4. Suspension11.1%
  5. Body & chassis9.6%
  6. Steering8.6%
  7. Tyres5.7%
  8. Seat belts & airbags5.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened21.1%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.5%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded13.9%
  4. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened13.9%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm13.6%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Audi A3?

In 2024, 61.8% of 1999 Audi A3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 280 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Audi A3?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; steering rack: gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Audi A3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 98, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).