2021 Audi A3 35 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,439 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi A3 35, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 92.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 76 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 17 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.1% | 16 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.8% | 11 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 11 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 4 |
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 | 34 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 15 |
| 3 | Wipers | 13 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 6 |
| 5 | Washers | 5 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 5 |
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 | 22.4% | 323 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.5% | 93 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.0% | 86 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.6% | 37 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.5% | 36 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 2 |
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 | 760 | 7.0% |
| 30-60k | 589 | 8.0% |
| 60-90k | 67 | 10.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,362 | 7.4% |
| Diesel | 77 | 10.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 31 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 713 | 8.0% |
| 2025 | 695 | 7.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 A3 35
Before buying a 2021 Audi A3 35, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 5.3% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (5.3% 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 (1.1% 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 2021 Audi A3 35s pass their MOT?
92.4% of the 1,439 2021 Audi A3 35 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi A3 35?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2021 A3 35 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.0% in the 0-30k band to 10.4% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,439 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.