2021 Audi A3 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Audi A3 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Audi A3 petrol than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Shock absorbers3.6× usual
  Audi A3

  5% All 2021 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.3% of all 2021 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.

Common 2021 Audi A3 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Audi A3 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  29% 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
  6% 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.

• Suspension
  5% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  2% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2021 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.

• Brake servo rod and seatbelt recalls

  Some cars

  The bolted rod between the brake servo and pedal could loosen and lose normal braking, and the front seatbelts might not restrain properly. An interior electrical connector was also recalled.

  At the viewing: Ask an Audi dealer to confirm the recalls were done.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A3 (2020 on) reliability

• Infotainment, electrical faults and warning lights

  All engines

  59% of cars in What Car?'s survey had a fault, mostly infotainment (44%) and electrics, often needing a week or more in the workshop. Diesels had recurring exhaust system faults.

  At the viewing: Use the screen, check for warning lights and test the electrics.

  Source: What Car?: used Audi A3 (2020 on) reliability

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Audi A3 petrol

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

1. Have the brake servo and seatbelt recalls been done?
2. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.6× as often on the 2021 Audi A3 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?