Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
On MOT-testable defects the Mercedes-Benz A-Class comes out ahead: 14.9% of its tests record a failure against 17.3% for the Audi A3, a 2.4-point gap. The biggest single difference is suspension, where the A3 records failures noticeably more often.
17.3%
A3 fail rate
14.9%
A-Class fail rate
2.42pp
Difference
Side by side
| Metric | Audi A3 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests analysed | 2,507,563 | 1,863,616 |
| Pass rate | 82.7% | 85.1% |
| Fail rate | 17.3% | 14.9% |
Where they differ
| Category | A3 | A-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.2% | 3.9% |
| Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 5.1% |
| Brakes | 4.5% | 3.6% |
| Visibility | 2.6% | 3.3% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 5.9% |
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.