Audi A3 (2021)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 547 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,089

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 18-32

1984cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £2,089/year to run. 12 points above average.

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Petrol1984cc5 years old547 tests26k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

~36 mpg

£1,634

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£2,089

Per month£174/mo

Per week£40/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.88p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 5 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

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Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Audi brand average of 90%.

94% of MOT tests on Audi A3s from 2021 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 3 years old. That's based on 547 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 26,069 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 models1206th of 3,336(top half)

Rank among Audi models326th of 1,066(top half)

vs average of all models+12%(82% avg)

vs 2021 models average+2%(92% avg)

vs Audi average+4%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

26,069

Average miles

22,200

Expected for age

The average 2021 Audi A3 had 26,069 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.

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Audi A3 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

Volkswagen Golf

2019 · 1498cc Petrol

£1,856/year

92%

-2%

Nissan Qashqai

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,856/year

93%

-1%

MINI Cooper

2019 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,856/year

92%

-2%

Hyundai Tucson

2019 · 1591cc Petrol

£1,856/year

90%

-4%

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About the 2021 Audi A3

The 2021 Audi A3 is a premium car. Our records list a 1984cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 547 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 26,069 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Audi A3 owners drive about as much as the UK average.

2021 Audi A3 Fuel Costs

The 1984cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,634 per year with petrol at 174.88p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 5 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 Audi A3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,089 (£174/month), broken down as £1,634 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs. The low repair estimate reflects the excellent 94% pass rate. These cars rarely fail their MOT, so unexpected bills are less likely.

Audi A3 Reliability Trend

Newer Audi A3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 14 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2021 Audi A3

At 5 years old, the Audi A3 offers good value with plenty of life remaining. Most manufacturer warranties will have expired, so a pre-purchase inspection is worth the cost.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2021 Audi A3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Audi A3(2021)	94%	£1,634	£200	Grp 18-32	£2,089
Volkswagen Golf(2019)	92%	£1,401	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,856-£233
Nissan Qashqai(2020)	93%	£1,401	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,856-£233
MINI Cooper(2019)	92%	£1,401	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,856-£233
Hyundai Tucson(2019)	90%	£1,401	£200	Grp 12-25	£1,856-£233

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 5 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2021 Audi A3

Is the 2021 Audi A3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of MOT tests on 2021 Audi A3s ended in a pass, from 547 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 12 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2021 Audi A3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,089 a year (£174 a month): £1,634 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £200 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2021 Audi A3?

94% of 547 MOT tests on the 2021 Audi A3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 1206th of 3,336 models first registered in 2021 (top half).

Which year Audi A3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2021 Audi A3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94% and the 1997 the lowest at 68%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2021 Audi A3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2021 Audi A3 is 26,069 miles, which is in line with the expected 22,200 miles for a 3-year-old car, suggesting normal everyday use.