2002 Audi A3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2002 Audi A3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2002 Audi A3 than on all cars registered in 2002.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2× usual
  Audi A3

  13.8% All 2002 cars

  6.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Side repeaters3.5× usual
  Audi A3

  5.3% All 2002 cars

  1.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 0.8% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Front strut mounts and bushes3.9× usual
  Audi A3

  3.9% All 2002 cars

  1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2002 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£400 our estimate

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

Common 2002 Audi A3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2002 Audi A3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  51% 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
  47% 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
  43% 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
  16% 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.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2002 Audi A3

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2002 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the side repeaters? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2002 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the front strut mounts and bushes? (Flagged at MOT 3.9× as often on the 2002 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?