Audi A3: suspension MOT failures
Of the 2,507,563 Audi A3 MOT tests in this dataset, 7.2% recorded at least one suspension failure. It shows up most on 2004 and 2006 cars.
Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair cost: £150–£450 per corner (rough UK ballpark, not a quote).
Suspension failures by year
| Model year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 822 | 9.8% |
| 1998 | 2,042 | 10.8% |
| 1999 | 2,678 | 10.6% |
| 2000 | 4,751 | 11.7% |
| 2001 | 7,127 | 12.0% |
| 2002 | 10,391 | 12.5% |
| 2003 | 14,443 | 14.4% |
| 2004 | 31,713 | 15.0% |
| 2005 | 66,781 | 14.9% |
| 2006 | 94,332 | 15.2% |
| 2007 | 109,642 | 13.9% |
| 2008 | 134,693 | 13.3% |
| 2009 | 152,691 | 12.8% |
| 2010 | 167,101 | 13.5% |
| 2011 | 140,342 | 11.3% |
| 2012 | 162,730 | 8.8% |
| 2013 | 165,904 | 7.5% |
| 2014 | 228,503 | 5.0% |
| 2015 | 238,533 | 3.0% |
| 2016 | 218,765 | 1.7% |
| 2017 | 189,219 | 1.0% |
| 2018 | 150,904 | 0.9% |
| 2019 | 94,473 | 0.9% |
| 2020 | 52,333 | 0.6% |
| 2021 | 45,506 | 0.8% |
| 2022 | 20,010 | 0.4% |
| 2023 | 1,006 | 0.6% |
Methodology & source. 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.