Is the 2021 AUDI A3 reliable?

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. 94% of AUDI A3s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 547 tests. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%.

How much does a 2021 AUDI A3 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), including £1327 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £200 predicted repairs.

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

The 2021 AUDI A3 has a 94% MOT pass rate based on 547 tests in 2026. This ranks 1232 out of 3373 cars from 2021.

Which year AUDI A3 is most reliable?

The 2021 AUDI A3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 94%. The least reliable year is 1997 at 68%.

AUDI A3 (2021)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2021 AUDI A3?

The average mileage for a 2021 AUDI A3 is 26,069 miles, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 547 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,777

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

94%

Excellent

Road Tax

£195

Flat rate/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1984cc Petrol

Great Choice

94% pass rate, £1777/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

£1,327

Road Tax

Flat rate (post-2017)

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Low estimate due to excellent reliability

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

94% MOT pass rate(Excellent)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Excellent reliability. Very few MOT failures. That's 12 points above the national average of 82%. It also outperforms the AUDI brand average of 90%.

At 5 years old, 94% of AUDI A3s from 2021 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 547 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 26,069 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2021 cars1232th of 3,373(top 37%)

Rank among AUDI models329th of 1,079(top 30%)

vs national average+12%(82% avg)

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

vs AUDI average+4%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

26,069

Average miles

37,000

Expected for age

The average 2021 AUDI A3 has 26,069 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 37,000 miles for a 5-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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

£1,582/year

92%

-2%

NISSAN QASHQAI

2020 · 1598cc Petrol

£1,582/year

93%

-1%

MINI COOPER

2019 · 1499cc Petrol

£1,582/year

92%

-2%

HYUNDAI TUCSON

2019 · 1591cc Petrol

£1,582/year

90%

-4%

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About the 2021 AUDI A3

The 2021 AUDI A3 is a premium with a 1984cc petrol engine. 547 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2021, the average MOT pass rate is 92%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 26,069 miles at 5 years old, AUDI A3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

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 £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2021 AUDI A3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,777 (£148/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £195 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 show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

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

Based on the 2021 AUDI A3's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
AUDI A3(2021)	94%	£1327	£195	Grp 18-32	£1777
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£195
NISSAN QASHQAI(2020)	93%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£195
MINI COOPER(2019)	92%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£195
HYUNDAI TUCSON(2019)	90%	£1137	£190	Grp 12-25	£1582-£195

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.