2020 Audi A3 35 — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 4,200 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Audi A3 35, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 91.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 14.3% in the 60-90k group versus 6.8% in the 0-30k group.

Pass rate

4,200

MOT tests analysed

8.1%

Fail rate

better than

vs cars of similar age

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2020 Audi A3 35
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	6.1%	257
2	Lighting & signalling	1.5%	63
3	Visibility	0.9%	37
4	Brakes	0.7%	28
5	Suspension	0.5%	21
6	Seat belts & restraints	0.4%	15

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2020 Audi A3 35
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Tread depth	86
2	Headlamp aim	70
3	Washers	22
4	Wipers	18
5	Brake pads	17
6	Shock absorbers	14

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2020 Audi A3 35
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Tyres	20.9%	880
2	Brakes	8.8%	369
3	Other defects	5.8%	242
4	Visibility	2.9%	124
5	Suspension	1.4%	60
6	Road wheels	0.3%	11

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2020 A3 35
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	2,254	6.8%
30-60k	1,706	9.1%
60-90k	217	14.3%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

By fuel type

Fail rate by fuel type — 2020 A3 35
Fuel	Tests	Fail rate
Petrol	3,887	8.0%
Diesel	313	9.9%

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2020 A3 35
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2023	1,401	7.3%
2024	1,382	8.3%
2025	1,408	8.9%

What to check before buying a 2020 A3 35

Before buying a 2020 Audi A3 35, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.1% of tests for this year.

Tyres (6.1% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
Lighting & signalling (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Visibility (0.9% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.

Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.

Frequently asked questions

How many 2020 Audi A3 35s pass their MOT?

91.9% of the 4,200 2020 Audi A3 35 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.1% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi A3 35?

Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.5%).

Does the 2020 A3 35 get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 14.3% in the 60-90k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 4,200 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.