1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Audi A3 MOT pass rate and common faults

228 MOT tests in 2024. 56.6% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

87Well below average
Passed first time56.6%
Failed or needed repairs43.4%
Typical mileage at test116,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 228 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn5.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working5.3%
  3. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3.9%
  4. Stop lamp: not working3.5%
  5. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases3.1%
  6. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.1%
  7. Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements3.1%
  8. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits3.1%
  9. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.1%
  10. Emissions not tested: unable to be completed3.1%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Brakes25.9%
  2. Lights & electrics20.2%
  3. Suspension19.7%
  4. Emissions & leaks13.6%
  5. Body & chassis11.4%
  6. Steering6.6%
  7. Tyres5.7%
  8. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.7%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine24.1%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened19.7%
  3. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded18.0%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn14.9%
  5. Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened14.0%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. Before buying, check the area that fails most: suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Audi A3?

In 2024, 56.6% of 1998 Audi A3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 228 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Audi A3?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn; position lamp: not working; anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an abs fault. The biggest problem area was brakes.

Is the 1998 Audi A3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 87, which is well below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).