2000 Audi A3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Audi A3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Audi A3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Steering rack inner joints5.1× usual
  Audi A3

  19.3% All 2000 cars

  3.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints3.2× usual
  Audi A3

  20.6% All 2000 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.6%, against 1.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Brake lights2.9× usual
  Audi A3

  12.3% All 2000 cars

  4.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.9%, against 3.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

• Coil springs2× usual
  Audi A3

  17.3% All 2000 cars

  8.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.3%, against 1.6% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Flexible brake hoses2.3× usual
  Audi A3

  14% All 2000 cars

  6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

Common 2000 Audi A3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Audi A3 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  56% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Brakes
  49% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Lights and electrics
  42% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  38% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Steering
  21% of testsRough price £100–£450

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Audi A3 diesel

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 5.1× as often on the 2000 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2000 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake lights? (Flagged at MOT 2.9× as often on the 2000 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?