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Audi A3 e-tron 40 s-a vs Audi A4: reliability comparison

MOT pass rates, common faults and mileage compared from real UK MOT data.

Audi A3 e-tron 40 s-a
85%
MOT pass rate · 1,110 vehicles
More reliable
Audi A4
76%
MOT pass rate · 568,515 vehicles
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Audi A3 e-tron 40 s-a is the more reliable of the two — 85% pass first time versus 76%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Audi A3 e-tron 40 s-a Audi A4
MOT pass rate 85% ✓ 76%
MOT failure rate 15% ✓ 24%
Faults & advisories per test 1.1 ✓ 1.9
Dangerous-fault share 9% 2% ✓
Average mileage 50,135 mi 133,841 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 1,110 568,515

Most common faults

Audi A3 e-tron 40 s-a

  1. Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
  2. Offside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
  3. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  4. Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))
  5. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  6. Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Audi A4

  1. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  2. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  3. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
  6. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate, the Audi A3 e-tron 40 s-a is the more reliable of the two — 85% pass first time versus 76%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Audi A3 e-tron 40 s-a report Full Audi A4 report Most reliable cars

Pass rates are computed over completed (pass/fail) MOT tests. Reliability also depends on age, mileage and upkeep — see each model's page for the full picture.