Audi A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A
From 353 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, a tyre seriously damaged and wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen. The top issue, tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, caused 9 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | 9 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 9 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 7 |
| engine mil illuminated indicating a malfunction | 6 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured and affecting the driver's view of the road or of an obligatory external mirror | 4 |
| a tyre cords visible or damaged | 4 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 3 |
| headlamp levelling device inoperative | 2 |
| number plate showing an incorrect registration | 2 |
| windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 2 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. 39.6% of failures are serious: 27.1% are safety issues (brakes, steering, tyre damage) and 12.5% could actually leave you stranded. That's close to the 44.4% average across all models. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £62.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 84.4% | tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured and affecting the driver's view of the road or of an obligatory external mirror |
| 2020 | 82.7% | wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, a tyre seriously damaged |
Typical mileage
Half of all A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-As tested had between 25,696 and 55,232 miles on the clock. Relatively low mileage overall. Many are still fairly young.
At 38,323 median miles, the A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A has 0.042 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Audi models
Common questions
What is the Audi A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A MOT pass rate?
The Audi A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A has a 83.9% MOT pass rate based on 353 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Audi A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A?
The most common MOT failure on the Audi A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A is tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, which caused 9 failures. Other common issues include a tyre seriously damaged.
What is the typical mileage of a Audi A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Audi A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A is 38,323 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 25,696 and 55,232 miles.
Buying a used A3 Sport 35 Tdi S-A?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
With a 83.9% pass rate and an average repair bill of £62 when things go wrong, budget accordingly.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.