Is the Audi A3 reliable?

The Audi A3 has an average MOT pass rate of 80% across 25 years, based on 784,288 tests in 2026. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 94% pass rate.

Which year Audi A3 is best?

The 2021 Audi A3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%, while the 1997 model has the lowest at 68%. There's a 26 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Audi A3

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 25 years from 784,288 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

784,288

Best Year

2021 (94%)

Years Covered

About the Audi A3

The Audi A3 has been tested 784,288 times in 2026 MOT data across 25 model years (1997 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 94% pass rate from 547 tests. The 1997 model has the lowest at 68%. With a 26 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer AUDI A3s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1997) averages 128,771 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 26,069 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Audi brand average of 90%, the A3 is 10 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Audi models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

£1,327

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Audi A3?

vs national average-2% (82% avg)

vs Audi brand average-10% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread26 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Audi A3 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	94%	547	26,069 mi
2020	93%	10,059	34,019 mi
2019	92%	41,215	42,207 mi
2018	92%	54,110	49,870 mi
2017	91%	68,023	59,583 mi
2016	90%	75,823	68,522 mi
2015	88%	80,797	78,897 mi
2014	86%	77,639	89,137 mi
2013	84%	55,981	99,882 mi
2012	80%	52,278	108,680 mi
2011	79%	44,226	116,751 mi
2010	77%	50,328	117,064 mi
2009	77%	46,405	123,921 mi
2008	76%	39,032	129,049 mi
2007	75%	30,361	136,508 mi
2006	73%	24,088	138,100 mi
2005	72%	15,865	139,734 mi
2004	72%	7,027	137,597 mi
2003	74%	3,274	137,992 mi
2002	72%	2,361	141,296 mi
2001	74%	1,685	130,310 mi
2000	71%	1,019	128,899 mi
1999	72%	888	127,410 mi
1998	70%	872	125,923 mi
1997	68%	385	128,771 mi