2011 Audi A3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Audi A3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Audi A3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Suspension arm2.8× usual
  Audi A3

  7% All 2011 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.3% of all 2011 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.8× usual
  Audi A3

  6.6% All 2011 cars

  2.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 1.4% of all 2011 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.

• Individual direction indicators1.9× usual
  Audi A3

  5.8% All 2011 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 1.2% of all 2011 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.

• Side repeaters1.8× usual
  Audi A3

  2.1% All 2011 cars

  1.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.8% of all 2011 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.

Common 2011 Audi A3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Audi A3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  33% 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
  32% 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
  24% 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
  21% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Oil and fluid leaks
  10% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  8% 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 2011 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.

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Audi A3 petrol

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

1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2011 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 2011 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2011 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?