2021 Audi A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sa — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 2,309 MOT tests analysed for the 2021 Audi A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sa, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility. Its pass rate of 90.8% was in line with the average for cars of a similar age (91.2%).
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 7.1% | 164 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 31 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.3% | 29 |
| 4 | Suspension | 0.4% | 9 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 8 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 8 |
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 | 39 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 37 |
| 3 | Washers | 22 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 12 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 11 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 8 |
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% | 466 |
| 2 | Other defects | 6.8% | 158 |
| 3 | Brakes | 5.5% | 128 |
| 4 | Visibility | 3.3% | 75 |
| 5 | Suspension | 2.9% | 68 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 12 |
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 | 1,256 | 8.7% |
| 30-60k | 986 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 62 | 12.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1,126 | 9.2% |
| 2025 | 1,164 | 9.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sa
Before buying a 2021 Audi A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sa, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 7.1% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (7.1% 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 (1.3% 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 2021 Audi A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sas pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 2,309 2021 Audi A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sa MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sa?
Tyres, recorded in 7.1% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.3%).
Does the 2021 A3 S Line Ed 1 35 Mhev Sa get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.7% in the 0-30k band to 12.9% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,309 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.