2008 Audi A3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2008 Audi A3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2008 Audi A3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2008.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.7× usual
  Audi A3

  18% All 2008 cars

  6.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 3% of all 2008 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 lights1.6× usual
  Audi A3

  14% All 2008 cars

  8.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 2.3% of all 2008 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.3× usual
  Audi A3

  7.6% All 2008 cars

  3.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Ball joint dust cover1.6× usual
  Audi A3

  7.1% All 2008 cars

  4.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.8% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)1.7× usual
  Audi A3

  3.5% All 2008 cars

  2.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 2% of all 2008 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.

Common 2008 Audi A3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2008 Audi A3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% 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
  33% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  31% 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
  27% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  18% 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
  13% 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.

Known faults on the 2008 Audi A3 petrol

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.

• DSG power loss (2008 to 2009)

  DSG automatic

  A faulty clutch temperature sensor in the DSG could cause a loss of power. Audi reprogrammed the gearboxes.

  At the viewing: Drive in traffic and accelerate from low speed.

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2008 Audi A3 petrol

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

1. Has the gearbox been reprogrammed?
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.7× as often on the 2008 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the number plate lights? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2008 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2008 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?