2003 Audi A3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Audi A3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Audi A3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
  Audi A3

  16.4% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.2%, against 2.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Brake discs1.7× usual
  Audi A3

  22.1% All 2003 cars

  12.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.9% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2× usual
  Audi A3

  17.6% All 2003 cars

  8.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.9% of all 2003 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.

• Coil springs1.7× usual
  Audi A3

  17.2% All 2003 cars

  10.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.2%, against 2.5% of all 2003 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.

• Sub-frame2.3× usual
  Audi A3

  10.9% All 2003 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

Common 2003 Audi A3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Audi A3 diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  57% 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
  50% 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
  47% 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
  36% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  17% of testsRough price £60–£350

  At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  15% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Known faults on the 2003 Audi A3 diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Flywheel recall (2003 to 2005)

  Early cars

  Early cars were recalled because the flywheel could fail.

  At the viewing: Ask for proof the flywheel was replaced.

  If it needs doing: Clutch and dual-mass flywheel, about £650–£1,200. ClickMechanic

  Source: What Car?: common Audi A3 (2003-2012) problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Audi A3 diesel

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

1. Was the flywheel recall done?
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2003 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2003 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?