Audi A3 (2013)
2013 Audi A3
CarHunch analysed 30,190 real MOT records for the 2013 Audi A3. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2013 Audi A3 passes its MOT first time at 84.5%, which is a solid 4.5 points above the UK average, though the 41.9% of vehicles that have ever recorded a dangerous defect is a genuine concern—nearly twice the typical rate—suggesting structural or safety issues deserve careful inspection on any used example. Petrol models edge out diesels (86.9% vs 83.5% pass rate), so fuel choice does matter if reliability is your priority.
With a median mileage of 78,094 miles for an 11-year-old car, these A3s are running reasonably hard, yet averaging only 1.91 failures per vehicle suggests most are holding up mechanically. The high advisory count of 12.1 per vehicle signals that wear items and minor niggles are common, so budget for consumables and have a pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, brakes, and electrical systems where the dangerous defect history suggests weakness.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.4 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2013 Audi A3
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.
- ⚠️ 41.9% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
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 (71%) | 21,464 | 83.5% | 2.04 |
| Petrol (29%) | 8,723 | 86.9% | 1.6 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 100% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2013 Audi A3 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 2013 Audi A3 vehicles fall between 62,012 and 97,003 miles.
2013 Audi A3 — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 26,081 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 91% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2016–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2013 Audi A3
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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50.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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48%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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28.2%
Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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28.1%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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25.9%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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25.6%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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22.1%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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19.5%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2013. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Audi A3?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.