2005 · 19 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2005 Audi A3 MOT pass rate and common faults

7,767 MOT tests in 2024. 55.5% passed first time, compared with 56.5% for all cars the same age.

98About average
Passed first time55.5%
Failed or needed repairs44.5%
Typical mileage at test137,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 7,767 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt7.4%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn4.8%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect4.5%
  4. Coil spring: fractured or broken4.1%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction4.0%
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.5%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.2%
  8. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.2%
  9. Stop lamp: not working3.1%
  10. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
    361 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics26.9%
  2. Suspension26.8%
  3. Brakes22.9%
  4. Body & chassis13.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks12.3%
  6. Tyres10.0%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm21.2%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn20.1%
  3. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened14.6%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine13.3%
  5. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened11.4%

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: 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 2005 Audi A3?

In 2024, 55.5% of 2005 Audi A3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 7,767 tests. The average for all 19-year-old cars was 56.5%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2005 Audi A3?

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

Is the 2005 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).