2020 Audi A3 35 Mhev S-A — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,487 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Audi A3 35 Mhev S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.9% was above the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.0% | 90 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 18 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.6% | 9 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.3% | 5 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.3% | 4 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 3 |
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 | 35 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 20 |
| 3 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 6 |
| 4 | Washers | 6 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 4 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 4 |
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 | 20.2% | 300 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.9% | 88 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.0% | 75 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.3% | 34 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.7% | 25 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.3% | 4 |
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 | 876 | 6.2% |
| 30-60k | 531 | 8.5% |
| 60-90k | 76 | 7.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 494 | 7.5% |
| 2024 | 497 | 6.6% |
| 2025 | 495 | 7.1% |
What to check before buying a 2020 A3 35 Mhev S-A
Before buying a 2020 Audi A3 35 Mhev S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.0% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.0% 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 (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (0.6% 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 35 Mhev S-As pass their MOT?
92.9% of the 1,487 2020 Audi A3 35 Mhev S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi A3 35 Mhev S-A?
Tyres, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2020 A3 35 Mhev S-A get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.2% in the 0-30k band to 7.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,487 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.