Comparison · family hatchbacks

Audi A3 vs Kia Ceed: which is more reliable?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 522,877 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi A3

106Above average
MOT tests406,671

Kia Ceed

93Below average
MOT tests116,206

By age

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

Age at testAudi A3Kia Ceed
3–5 years
102Above average
97Below average
6–9 years
109Well above average
99About average
10–14 years
108Above average
88Well below average
15+ years
102Above average
87Well below average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearAudi A3Kia Ceed
202188.9%84.0%
202088.8%84.1%
201987.9%82.3%
201887.5%81.9%
201785.7%78.3%
201684.3%76.2%
201581.0%72.4%
201477.6%65.6%
201373.8%60.9%
201266.7%55.7%
201165.2%50.0%
201063.2%50.3%
200961.9%51.5%
200859.6%49.9%
200758.2%48.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaAudi A3Kia Ceed
Lights & electrics10.218.5
Brakes8.315.7
Suspension10.311.1
Tyres8.68.9
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.16.3
Emissions & leaks3.82.3
Steering0.45.0
Body & chassis3.11.9

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%

Kia Ceed: top failures

  1. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play3.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.9%
  3. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements2.6%
  4. Position lamp: not working2.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.5%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi A3 or the Kia Ceed?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 93 for the Kia Ceed, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Audi A3 and Kia Ceed 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 Kia Ceed in 0.

What fails most on each?

Audi A3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Kia Ceed: track rod end: ball joint has excessive play; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.