Audi A3 Sport 138 TDI (2012)
2012 Audi A3 Sport 138 TDI
CarHunch analysed 105 real MOT records for the 2012 Audi A3 Sport 138 TDI. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
This 2012 Audi A3 Sport 138 TDI has a first-time MOT pass rate of 70.3%, which sits noticeably below the UK average of 80%—a red flag that suggests this diesel model is more prone to failures than most cars its age. The good news is that no vehicles in this sample have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety-critical failures are not a pattern here.
At 111,707 miles median, these examples are running at typical mileage for a 12-year-old, and the 0.67 average failures per test tells you that wear and tear is the main culprit rather than design flaws. Before buying, budget for a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the diesel engine and emissions systems, as that's where the failures are clustering.
What to check before buying a 2012 Audi A3 Sport 138 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 Sport 138 TDI
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
CarHunch may earn a small commission if you buy via these links — at no extra cost to you.
Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (98%) | 103 | 69.8% | 0.67 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (2%) | 2 | 92.9% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2012 Audi A3 Sport 138 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 2012 Audi A3 Sport 138 TDI vehicles fall between 97,306 and 129,007 miles.
2012 Audi A3 Sport 138 TDI — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 69 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.
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 Sport 138 TDI?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.