Audi A3 E 104 TDI (2009)
2009 Audi A3 E 104 TDI
CarHunch analysed 224 real MOT records for the 2009 Audi A3 E 104 TDI. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2009 Audi A3 diesel is a challenging prospect on its first MOT attempt, with only 52.2% passing versus the UK average of 80%—nearly three in five fail. The good news is that dangerous defects are absent from this cohort, so while these cars need work, they're not mechanically unsafe in the way that would make them road hazards.
At 142,000 miles median, these are genuinely high-mileage vehicles, and the 0.73 average failures per car tells you that when they do fail, it's usually one or two issues rather than systemic breakdown. If you're considering this model, budget for pre-purchase inspection work and factor in that you're buying a car that will likely need repairs within the first year of ownership—this isn't a pick-up-and-drive used buy.
What to check before buying a 2009 Audi A3 E 104 TDI
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Audi A3 E 104 TDI
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (98%) | 219 | 51.5% | 0.71 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (2%) | 5 | 83.6% | 1.4 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 Audi A3 E 104 TDI vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2009 Audi A3 E 104 TDI vehicles fall between 121,256 and 159,951 miles.
2009 Audi A3 E 104 TDI — Still on the Road
83 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2017–2025.
MOT History Averages
Found a specific Audi A3 E 104 TDI?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.
Other model years — Audi A3 E 104 TDI: