2009 Audi A3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 152,673 MOT tests analysed for the 2009 Audi A3, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and brakes. Its pass rate of 75.9% was above the average for small family cars of a similar age (74.6%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 25.7% in the 150k+ group versus 13.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 12.8% | 19,593 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 10.2% | 15,640 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.0% | 10,749 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.5% | 9,911 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.6% | 6,981 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.9% | 5,909 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 9,670 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 7,409 |
| 3 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 6,365 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 5,931 |
| 5 | Ball joint dust cover | 5,178 |
| 6 | Joints | 4,585 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 31.1% | 47,401 |
| 2 | Tyres | 29.5% | 44,988 |
| 3 | Brakes | 22.8% | 34,739 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 20,170 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.7% | 14,730 |
| 6 | Other defects | 9.6% | 14,664 |
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 | 1,129 | 13.8% |
| 30-60k | 8,071 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 28,172 | 21.8% |
| 90-120k | 45,846 | 24.7% |
| 120-150k | 39,037 | 25.5% |
| 150k+ | 30,348 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 99,278 | 24.8% |
| Petrol | 53,383 | 22.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 33,869 | 23.0% |
| 2022 | 32,976 | 23.8% |
| 2023 | 31,424 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 28,784 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 25,620 | 24.6% |
What to check before buying a 2009 A3
Before buying a 2009 Audi A3, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 12.8% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (12.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (10.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (7.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2009 Audi A3s pass their MOT?
75.9% of the 152,673 2009 Audi A3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Audi A3?
Suspension, recorded in 12.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (10.2%).
Does the 2009 A3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 13.8% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 152,673 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.