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Audi A3 vs Audi A3 se tdi: reliability comparison

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

Audi A3
78%
MOT pass rate · 586,036 vehicles
Audi A3 se tdi
86%
MOT pass rate · 1,999 vehicles
More reliable
Verdict: On MOT pass rate, the Audi A3 se tdi is the more reliable of the two — 86% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Head to head

Measure Audi A3 Audi A3 se tdi
MOT pass rate 78% 86% ✓
MOT failure rate 22% 14% ✓
Faults & advisories per test 1.8 0.0 ✓
Dangerous-fault share 3% 2% ✓
Average mileage 112,882 mi 147,384 mi
Sample size (vehicles) 586,036 1,999

Most common faults

Audi A3

  1. Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  2. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
  3. Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  4. Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  5. Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)
  6. Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Audi A3 se tdi

  1. Nearside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
  2. Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))
  3. Nearside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
  4. Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))
  5. Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))
  6. Offside Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Reliability FAQ

On MOT pass rate, the Audi A3 se tdi is the more reliable of the two — 86% pass first time versus 78%. It's one signal among several; check the full breakdown below.

Full Audi A3 report Full Audi A3 se tdi 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.