Used car guide

1998 Audi A3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1998 Audi A3s, from 185 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 185 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

185MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 1998 cars: 66%)
4,200typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1998 Audi A3s than on all cars registered in 1998.

  • Brake discs2.5× usual
    Audi A3
    24.9% All 1998 cars
    9.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.1%, against 0.6% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints3.6× usual
    Audi A3
    17.8% All 1998 cars
    5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Coil springs2.4× usual
    Audi A3
    16.8% All 1998 cars
    7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 0.9% of all 1998 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 1998 Audi A3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    48% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    30% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    18% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023951Tyres 21%
202217,771Tyres 32%
202120,621Tyres 30%
202015,780Tyres 29%
201920,857Tyres 29%
201826,892Tyres 29%
201733,712Tyres 29%
201638,712Tyres 30%
201541,485Tyres 30%
201438,607Tyres 31%
201326,952Tyres 33%
201224,856Suspension 41%
201120,520Suspension 46%
201023,082Suspension 49%
200920,114Suspension 49%
200816,251Suspension 51%
200712,204Suspension 52%
20069,748Suspension 55%
20056,094Suspension 54%
20042,576Suspension 54%
20031,234Suspension 52%
2002966Suspension 51%
2001725Suspension 48%
2000446Suspension 49%
1999265Brakes 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1998 Audi A3s registered in 1998. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score