2006 Audi A3 diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Audi A3 diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Audi A3 diesel than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.4× usual
  Audi A3

  25.1% All 2006 cars

  10.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.4% of all 2006 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.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.6× usual
  Audi A3

  18.8% All 2006 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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.

• Number plate lights1.7× usual
  Audi A3

  14.2% All 2006 cars

  8.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 2.3% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Shock absorbers1.8× usual
  Audi A3

  13.1% All 2006 cars

  7.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Sub-frame1.8× usual
  Audi A3

  9.9% All 2006 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.3% of all 2006 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 2006 Audi A3 diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 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.

• Tyres
  39% 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.

• Brakes
  38% 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
  37% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  19% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  15% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 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 suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2006 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2006 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2006 Audi A3 diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?