Comparison · family hatchbacks

Audi A3 vs Skoda Octavia: which is more reliable?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 104 for the Skoda Octavia, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 607,068 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi A3

106Above average

MOT tests406,671

Skoda Octavia

104Above average

MOT tests200,397

By age

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

Age at test	Audi A3	Skoda Octavia
3–5 years	102Above average	101About average
6–9 years	109Well above average	105Above average
10–14 years	108Above average	106Above average
15+ years	102Above average	100About average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Audi A3	Skoda Octavia
2021	88.9%	89.7%
2020	88.8%	87.6%
2019	87.9%	85.6%
2018	87.5%	85.0%
2017	85.7%	83.2%
2016	84.3%	81.2%
2015	81.0%	78.9%
2014	77.6%	76.5%
2013	73.8%	72.1%
2012	66.7%	66.1%
2011	65.2%	63.7%
2010	63.2%	62.2%
2009	61.9%	60.5%
2008	59.6%	57.3%
2007	58.2%	56.3%
2006	55.7%	54.6%
2005	55.5%	55.5%
2004	53.6%	58.9%
2003	56.2%	58.0%
2002	57.0%	58.4%
2001	59.2%	56.8%
2000	60.1%	51.1%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Audi A3	Skoda Octavia
Lights & electrics	10.2	10.8
Suspension	10.3	10.3
Brakes	8.3	8.1
Tyres	8.6	7.1
Emissions & leaks	3.8	3.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	3.1	2.4
Body & chassis	3.1	2.4
Seat belts & airbags	1.0	1.1

Audi A3: top failures

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

Skoda Octavia: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken2.4%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak1.3%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.0%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi A3 or the Skoda Octavia?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 104 for the Skoda Octavia, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia can be compared?

Both were tested for 22 registration years (2000–2021). The Audi A3 had the higher pass rate in 18 of them and the Skoda Octavia in 4.

What fails most on each?

Audi A3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Skoda Octavia: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.