Audi A3 vs Mercedes-Benz A-Class
On MOT-testable defects, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (fail rate 14.9%) performed better than the Audi A3 (17.7%) across comparable years. The biggest divergence was suspension, where the A3 recorded failures more often.
17.7%
A3 fail rate
14.9%
A-Class fail rate
2.8pp
Difference
Side by side
| Metric | Audi A3 | Mercedes-Benz A-Class |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests analysed | 2,403,046 | 1,863,609 |
| Pass rate | 82.3% | 85.1% |
| Fail rate | 17.7% | 14.9% |
Where they differ
| Category | A3 | A-Class |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 7.4% | 3.9% |
| Visibility | 0.0% | 3.3% |
| Emissions & environmental | 2.6% | 0.0% |
| Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 5.1% |
| Brakes | 4.7% | 3.6% |
| Tyres | 6.3% | 5.9% |
Methodology & source. 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.