2012 · 12 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2012 Audi A3 MOT pass rate and common faults

24,474 MOT tests in 2024. 66.7% passed first time, compared with 64.3% for all cars the same age.

104Above average
Passed first time66.7%
Failed or needed repairs33.3%
Typical mileage at test106,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 24,474 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken5.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.5%
    1,343 marked dangerous
  3. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.8%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
    726 marked dangerous
  5. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.2%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed2.2%
    725 marked dangerous
  7. Individual direction indicators: incorrect colour2.0%
  8. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.9%
  9. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.9%
  10. Side repeaters: not working1.8%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics15.6%
  2. Suspension15.3%
  3. Brakes12.0%
  4. Tyres9.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.1%
  6. Body & chassis3.7%
  7. Emissions & leaks3.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm20.7%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.6%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn9.7%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick7.8%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: coil spring: fractured or broken. 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 2012 Audi A3?

In 2024, 66.7% of 2012 Audi A3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 24,474 tests. The average for all 12-year-old cars was 64.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2012 Audi A3?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2012 Audi A3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 104, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).