Used car guide

2012 Audi A3: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Audi A3s, from 24,851 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

24,851MOT tests in 2025
66%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
8,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for suspension arm

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Audi A3s than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Suspension arm2.8× usual
    Audi A3
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    2.6%
    Rough price £100–£300

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

  • Individual direction indicators2.3× usual
    Audi A3
    6.9% All 2012 cars
    3%
    Rough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Link ball joint covers2.5× usual
    Audi A3
    6.3% All 2012 cars
    2.5%
    Rough price £80–£200

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sub-frame1.7× usual
    Audi A3
    8.7% All 2012 cars
    5%
    Rough price £300–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usual
    Audi A3
    6.2% All 2012 cars
    3.2%
    Rough price £50–£150

    At the viewing: Drive slowly over bumps and listen for a knock or rattle from the front. Worn anti-roll bar links are a cheap fix.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.4% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars. Track rod end: 0.7% here, against 4.9% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Audi A3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    41% 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.

  • Tyres
    35% 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.

  • Brakes
    26% 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
    25% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    7% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Audi A3?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201920,535Tyres 29%
201826,884Tyres 29%
201733,702Tyres 29%
201638,701Tyres 30%
201541,476Tyres 30%
201438,595Tyres 31%
201326,942Tyres 33%
201120,514Suspension 46%
201023,075Suspension 49%
200920,109Suspension 49%
200816,241Suspension 51%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Audi A3s registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score