Comparison · family hatchbacks

Audi A3 vs Toyota Corolla: which is more reliable?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Toyota Corolla, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 515,937 real MOT tests in 2024.

Audi A3

106Above average
MOT tests406,671

Toyota Corolla

103Above average
MOT tests109,266

By age

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

Age at testAudi A3Toyota Corolla
3–5 years
102Above average
103Above average
6–9 years
109Well above average
–
10–14 years
108Above average
–
15+ years
102Above average
104Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearAudi A3Toyota Corolla
202188.9%89.3%
202088.8%89.1%
201987.9%88.5%
200961.9%61.6%
200859.6%61.2%
200758.2%59.5%
200655.7%60.5%
200555.5%59.6%
200453.6%56.6%
200356.2%56.8%
200257.0%56.9%
200159.2%62.4%
200060.1%62.6%
199961.8%60.5%
199856.6%60.1%
199751.5%61.1%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaAudi A3Toyota Corolla
Lights & electrics10.218.2
Brakes8.311.6
Suspension10.35.6
Tyres8.65.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)3.16.5
Emissions & leaks3.83.4
Body & chassis3.13.4
Seat belts & airbags1.01.0

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%

Toyota Corolla: top failures

  1. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.2%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.8%
  3. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  4. Stop lamp: not working1.8%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
  6. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Audi A3 or the Toyota Corolla?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Toyota Corolla, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Audi A3 and Toyota Corolla can be compared?

Both were tested for 16 registration years (1997–2021). The Audi A3 had the higher pass rate in 3 of them and the Toyota Corolla in 13.

What fails most on each?

Audi A3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Toyota Corolla: wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively; position lamp: not working.