Comparison · family hatchbacks

Audi A3 vs Honda Civic: which is more reliable?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 101 for the Honda Civic, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 677,638 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi A3

106Above average
MOT tests406,671

Honda Civic

101About average
MOT tests270,967

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testAudi A3Honda Civic
3–5 years
102Above average
103Above average
6–9 years
109Well above average
107Above average
10–14 years
108Above average
104Above average
15+ years
102Above average
96Below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearAudi A3Honda Civic
202188.9%92.1%
202088.8%89.5%
201987.9%86.7%
201887.5%84.2%
201785.7%84.5%
201684.3%82.7%
201581.0%81.0%
201477.6%77.0%
201373.8%73.4%
201266.7%70.8%
201165.2%58.8%
201063.2%55.7%
200961.9%55.6%
200859.6%54.8%
200758.2%54.5%
200655.7%54.0%
200555.5%56.0%
200453.6%55.2%
200356.2%53.2%
200257.0%54.2%
200159.2%52.9%
200060.1%63.4%
199961.8%61.1%
199856.6%58.4%
199751.5%59.8%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaAudi A3Honda Civic
Lights & electrics10.225.7
Suspension10.313.7
Brakes8.312.2
Tyres8.67.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.15.7
Emissions & leaks3.84.1
Body & chassis3.13.6
Steering0.42.1

Audi A3: top failures

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
  3. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  4. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  5. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.4%

Honda Civic: top failures

  1. Position lamp: not working4.3%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect3.2%
  3. Stop lamp: not working2.7%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.4%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.4%
  6. Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.7%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi A3 or the Honda Civic?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 101 for the Honda Civic, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Audi A3 and Honda Civic can be compared?

Both were tested for 25 registration years (1997–2021). The Audi A3 had the higher pass rate in 16 of them and the Honda Civic in 9.

What fails most on each?

Audi A3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Honda Civic: position lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect.