2014 Audi A3 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 77.3% of Audi A3s first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. Across 117,142 A3 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were tyres, suspension and lamps and electrical equipment.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Audi A3s first used in 2014 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2014 Audi A3 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, A3s first used in 2014 against all cars first used in 2014 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the A3 figure was 8.7 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2014 A3 | All cars first used 2014 | A3 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 81.9% | 76.3% | 40,365 |
| 2022 | 80.6% | 74.1% | 39,965 |
| 2023 | 79.0% | 71.7% | 39,547 |
| 2024 | 77.6% | 69.9% | 39,060 |
| 2025 | 77.3% | 68.6% | 38,535 |
Common 2014 Audi A3 MOT failures
Share of the 25,769 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 12.6% | 3,257 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 11.8% | 3,053 |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick | 8.9% | 2,289 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 8.7% | 2,236 |
| Headlamp: not working on dipped beam | 7.2% | 1,854 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an A3 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2014 Audi A3 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
Common 2014 Audi A3 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2014 A3s, as a share of all 117,142 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.6% | 19,436 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 11.4% | 13,325 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.9% | 10,430 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 7.8% | 9,079 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 6.6% | 7,706 |
Questions about the 2014 Audi A3 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2014 Audi A3?
In 2025, 77.3% of A3s first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2014 A3 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres (in 31.1% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (29.7%) and lamps and electrical equipment (27.5%). The single most common item was “Coil spring: fractured or broken” (12.6%).
How often does a 2014 Audi A3 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 22.7% of first tests on A3s first used in 2014 did not pass first time: 18.3% failed, and a further 4.4% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 25,769 of 117,142 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2014 Audi A3 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.6% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (11.4%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.9%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (7.8%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (6.6%).
Is a 2014 Audi A3 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 81.9% in 2021 to 77.3% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2014
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2014 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2014 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2014 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2014 A3?
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