2016 · 8 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2016 Audi A3 MOT pass rate and common faults

37,337 MOT tests in 2024. 84.3% passed first time, compared with 76.6% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time84.3%
Failed or needed repairs15.7%
Typical mileage at test65,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 37,337 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
    1,428 marked dangerous
  2. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.3%
    693 marked dangerous
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.2%
    659 marked dangerous
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.0%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.8%
    373 marked dangerous
  7. Coil spring: fractured or broken0.6%
  8. Headlamp aim: too low0.6%
  9. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
  10. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure0.5%
    299 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Tyres7.9%
  2. Lights & electrics4.4%
  3. Brakes3.0%
  4. Suspension2.7%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)2.0%
  6. Emissions & leaks1.7%
  7. Body & chassis0.5%
  8. Seat belts & airbags0.4%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened11.5%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick9.2%
  4. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure7.6%
  5. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak3.7%

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: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. 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 2016 Audi A3?

In 2024, 84.3% of 2016 Audi A3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 37,337 tests. The average for all 8-year-old cars was 76.6%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2016 Audi A3?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords; tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed. The biggest problem area was tyres.

Is the 2016 Audi A3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).