Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A (2021)

3,175 real MOT outcomes analysed • 90% first-time pass rate

2021 Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A

CarHunch analysed 3,175 real MOT records for the 2021 Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2021 Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E is a strong performer, passing its MOT on the first attempt 90% of the time—a full 10 percentage points above the UK average. With only 12.4% of vehicles ever recording a dangerous defect, this hybrid is notably safer than many competitors in its class.

At 34,000 miles median mileage, these cars are running well below what you'd expect for three-year-old vehicles, suggesting either careful ownership or limited annual mileage. The low failure rate of 0.27 per vehicle masks the real story: advisories average 1.8 per car, pointing to minor wear items rather than serious mechanical issues. Check the hybrid battery condition and cooling system during your inspection, as these components often feature in advisory findings on plug-in hybrids.

Generally reliable 10% above UK average
90%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
34,072
typical mileage
24,613–47,807 middle half
12.4%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.27
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.3 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2021 Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A

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 S Line 40 TFSI E S A

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
Hybrid Electric (Clean) (100%) 3,174 90% 0.27
Electric (0%) 1 100% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A 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.

24,613
low mileage
34,072
typical
47,807
high mileage

Half of all 2021 Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A vehicles fall between 24,613 and 47,807 miles.

MOT History Averages

2.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.27
Avg failures per vehicle
1.8
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI E S A:

2020 2022 2023 2024 2025