2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 2,176 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 91.6% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).

Pass rate

2,176

MOT tests analysed

8.4%

Fail rate

in line with

vs cars of similar age

3.5

Avg age at test (yrs)

How it compares

Fail rate for this model-year against the segment and national averages for cars of a similar age.

Top failure categories

Most common MOT failure areas — 2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	6.6%	143
2	Visibility	1.2%	26
3	Lighting & signalling	0.9%	19
4	Suspension	0.6%	13
5	Brakes	0.5%	10
6	Other defects	0.4%	8

Percentage of tests with at least one failure recorded in each category.

Most common specific failures

The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.

Most frequently recorded failure items — 2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Tread depth	45
2	Headlamp aim	19
3	Washers	16
4	Wipers	12
5	Registration plates	12
6	Shock absorbers	9

Top advisory categories

Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.

Most common MOT advisories — 2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Tyres	26.2%	570
2	Suspension	10.0%	217
3	Other defects	6.6%	144
4	Brakes	4.0%	88
5	Visibility	3.3%	72
6	Road wheels	0.5%	10

Failure rate by mileage

Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.

MOT fail rate by recorded mileage band.

Fail rate by recorded mileage — 2021 A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	1,161	7.8%
30-60k	903	8.4%
60-90k	98	12.2%

Failure rate by age

How this model-year's MOT fail rate climbs as the cars get older.

Trend over time

Fail rate by dataset year — 2021 A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2023	46	10.9%
2024	1,073	9.4%
2025	1,056	7.3%

What to check before buying a 2021 A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A

Before buying a 2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.6% of tests for this year.

Tyres (6.6% 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.
Visibility (1.2% 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.
Lighting & signalling (0.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£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 S Line 30 Mhev S-As pass their MOT?

91.6% of the 2,176 2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A?

Tyres, recorded in 6.6% of tests, followed by visibility (1.2%).

Does the 2021 A3 S Line 30 Mhev S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.8% in the 0-30k band to 12.2% in the 60-90k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 2,176 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.