Comparison · family hatchbacks

Audi A3 vs Hyundai i30: which is more reliable?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 510,021 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi A3

106Above average
MOT tests406,671

Hyundai i30

92Below average
MOT tests103,350

By age

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

Age at testAudi A3Hyundai i30
3–5 years
102Above average
101About average
6–9 years
109Well above average
96Below average
10–14 years
108Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
102Above average
91Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearAudi A3Hyundai i30
202188.9%85.4%
202088.8%85.5%
201987.9%87.3%
201887.5%84.4%
201785.7%80.2%
201684.3%71.0%
201581.0%68.8%
201477.6%62.3%
201373.8%57.8%
201266.7%55.9%
201165.2%54.3%
201063.2%52.5%
200961.9%53.7%
200859.6%49.9%
200758.2%50.3%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaAudi A3Hyundai i30
Lights & electrics10.221.1
Brakes8.321.1
Suspension10.311.3
Tyres8.68.3
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.15.5
Steering0.46.2
Emissions & leaks3.82.1
Body & chassis3.12.1

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%

Hyundai i30: top failures

  1. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements4.9%
  2. Stop lamp: not working4.4%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.8%
  4. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.1%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.6%
  6. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam2.3%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi A3 or the Hyundai i30?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 92 for the Hyundai i30, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Audi A3 and Hyundai i30 can be compared?

Both were tested for 15 registration years (2007–2021). The Audi A3 had the higher pass rate in 15 of them and the Hyundai i30 in 0.

What fails most on each?

Audi A3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Hyundai i30: rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements; stop lamp: not working.