2003 · 21 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2003 Audi A3 MOT pass rate and common faults

1,570 MOT tests in 2024. 56.2% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

98About average
Passed first time56.2%
Failed or needed repairs43.8%
Typical mileage at test132,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,570 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect5.0%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.7%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.1%
  6. Position lamp: not working3.1%
  7. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.9%
  8. Stop lamp: not working2.9%
  9. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
    56 marked dangerous
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.5%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics35.4%
  2. Brakes23.2%
  3. Suspension20.4%
  4. Emissions & leaks12.1%
  5. Body & chassis10.3%
  6. Tyres8.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)7.4%
  8. Steering5.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.3%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened15.7%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.8%
  4. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.6%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.5%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2002 A3All A3 years2004 A3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Audi A3?

In 2024, 56.2% of 2003 Audi A3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,570 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Audi A3?

The most common failure reasons were headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Audi A3 reliable at MOT time?

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