Comparison · family hatchbacks

Vauxhall Astra vs Audi A3: which is more reliable?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 98 for the Vauxhall Astra, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 1,031,829 real MOT tests in 2024.

Vauxhall Astra

98Below average

MOT tests625,158

Audi A3

106Above average

MOT tests406,671

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at test	Vauxhall Astra	Audi A3
3–5 years	99About average	102Above average
6–9 years	98About average	109Well above average
10–14 years	100About average	108Above average
15+ years	94Below average	102Above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

Year	Vauxhall Astra	Audi A3
2021	87.5%	88.9%
2020	86.3%	88.8%
2019	84.0%	87.9%
2018	80.8%	87.5%
2017	79.7%	85.7%
2016	76.5%	84.3%
2015	69.6%	81.0%
2014	67.4%	77.6%
2013	66.9%	73.8%
2012	65.2%	66.7%
2011	62.2%	65.2%
2010	59.4%	63.2%
2009	55.9%	61.9%
2008	54.6%	59.6%
2007	53.5%	58.2%
2006	51.8%	55.7%
2005	52.2%	55.5%
2004	53.9%	53.6%
2003	55.8%	56.2%
2002	53.1%	57.0%
2001	56.3%	59.2%
2000	56.3%	60.1%
1999	52.9%	61.8%
1998	56.3%	56.6%
1997	60.8%	51.5%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

Area	Vauxhall Astra	Audi A3
Lights & electrics	17.8	10.2
Suspension	13.8	10.3
Brakes	13.9	8.3
Tyres	8.9	8.6
Emissions & leaks	7.0	3.8
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)	5.8	3.1
Body & chassis	5.1	3.1
Seat belts & airbags	0.7	1.0

Vauxhall Astra: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken4.9%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.7%
Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases2.2%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.8%
Position lamp: not working1.7%

Audi A3: top failures

Coil spring: fractured or broken2.8%
Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.8%
Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.5%
Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.4%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Vauxhall Astra or the Audi A3?

The Audi A3 does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 98 for the Vauxhall Astra, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Vauxhall Astra and Audi A3 can be compared?

Both were tested for 25 registration years (1997–2021). The Vauxhall Astra had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the Audi A3 in 23.

What fails most on each?

Vauxhall Astra: coil spring: fractured or broken; brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick. Audi A3: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.