2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A — MOT failures & pass rate

Across 528 MOT tests analysed for the 2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 90.1% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (90.5%).

Pass rate

528

MOT tests analysed

9.8%

Fail rate

in line with

vs cars of similar age

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 — 2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A
#	Category	% of tests affected	Tests
1	Tyres	7.8%	41
2	Lighting & signalling	1.5%	8
3	Visibility	1.3%	7
4	Suspension	0.9%	5
5	Seat belts & restraints	0.6%	3
6	Body, structure & corrosion	0.2%	1

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 — 2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A
#	Failure item	Times recorded
1	Headlamp aim	9
2	Tread depth	9
3	Washers	8
4	Wipers	5
5	Wheel bearings	3
6	Shock absorbers	2

Top advisory categories

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

Most common MOT advisories — 2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A
#	Category	% of tests with advisory	Tests
1	Tyres	25.4%	134
2	Brakes	9.1%	48
3	Other defects	5.3%	28
4	Suspension	3.2%	17
5	Visibility	2.6%	14
6	Road wheels	0.6%	3

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 — 2020 A3 S Line 40 E S-A
Mileage band	Tests	Fail rate
0-30k	263	6.8%
30-60k	220	11.8%

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 — 2020 A3 S Line 40 E S-A
Dataset year	Tests	Fail rate
2023	168	8.3%
2024	183	12.6%
2025	177	8.5%

What to check before buying a 2020 A3 S Line 40 E S-A

Before buying a 2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.8% of tests for this year.

Tyres (7.8% 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 (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Visibility (1.3% 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 S Line 40 E S-As pass their MOT?

90.1% of the 528 2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.

What is the most common MOT failure on a 2020 Audi A3 S Line 40 E S-A?

Tyres, recorded in 7.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.5%).

Does the 2020 A3 S Line 40 E S-A get worse with mileage?

Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.8% in the 0-30k band to 11.8% in the 30-60k band.

Methodology & source. Based on 528 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.