2002 Audi A3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Audi A3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Audi A3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Side repeaters3× usual
  Audi A3

  4.5% All 2002 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2× usual
  Audi A3

  6.2% All 2002 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.1%, against 3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Engine warning light2.2× usual
  Audi A3

  4.2% All 2002 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.9% of all 2002 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.

• Front strut mounts and bushes2.5× usual
  Audi A3

  2.5% All 2002 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

Common 2002 Audi A3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Audi A3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  41% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  39% 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.

• Tyres
  27% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  22% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Exhaust and emissions
  15% 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 an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Audi A3 petrol

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

1. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3× as often on the 2002 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2002 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2002 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?