2020 Audi A3 — MOT failures & pass rate
52,333 MOT tests on the 2020 Audi A3 are in this dataset, and 91.3% of them passed. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 8.9%, so the 2020 A3 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.2% of all tests — 4.8 points clear of lighting & signalling, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 1,329 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.2% in the 0-30k band and 15.7% in the 120-150k band, a 8.5-point spread — more than double.
Split by fuel, hybrid examples fail 3.8pp more often than petrol ones (11.9% vs 8.1%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 23.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 3,256 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.4% | 751 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 629 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.9% | 469 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.6% | 320 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 279 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,329 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 637 |
| 3 | Washers | 422 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 371 |
| 5 | Wipers | 268 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 242 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 23.1% | 12,061 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.8% | 5,127 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.8% | 3,026 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.6% | 1,870 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,449 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.3% | 179 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 25,648 | 7.2% |
| 30-60k | 22,735 | 9.7% |
| 60-90k | 3,433 | 13.2% |
| 90-120k | 429 | 13.8% |
| 120-150k | 70 | 15.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 41,083 | 8.1% |
| Diesel | 6,466 | 10.2% |
| Hybrid | 4,784 | 11.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 68 | 10.3% |
| 2022 | 623 | 8.2% |
| 2023 | 17,322 | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 17,155 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 17,165 | 9.1% |
What to check before buying a 2020 A3
On a 2020 A3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.2% 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 (1.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% 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 A3s pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 52,333 2020 Audi A3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi A3?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.4%).
Does the 2020 A3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 0-30k band to 15.7% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 52,333 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.