2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Audi A3 MOT pass rate and common faults

3,364 MOT tests in 2024. 53.6% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

95Below average
Passed first time53.6%
Failed or needed repairs46.4%
Typical mileage at test133,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 3,364 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect7.0%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.9%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction6.1%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.1%
  5. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.9%
  6. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
    184 marked dangerous
  7. Service brake performance: excessively binding3.4%
  8. Stop lamp: not working3.0%
  9. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault2.6%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics35.8%
  2. Suspension24.9%
  3. Brakes23.0%
  4. Emissions & leaks16.3%
  5. Body & chassis11.7%
  6. Tyres9.7%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.9%
  8. Seat belts & airbags3.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.8%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn17.9%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.0%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine12.0%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened11.9%

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: 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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Audi A3?

In 2024, 53.6% of 2004 Audi A3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 3,364 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 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; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2004 Audi A3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 95, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).