2009 Audi A3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2009 Audi A3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2009 Audi A3 than on all cars registered in 2009.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.1× usual
  Audi A3

  10.4% All 2009 cars

  4.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.3% of all 2009 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.4× usual
  Audi A3

  7.1% All 2009 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.3%, against 1.6% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

• Ball joint dust cover1.9× usual
  Audi A3

  7.8% All 2009 cars

  4.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.5%, against 1.7% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

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

• Suspension arm2.2× usual
  Audi A3

  6.7% All 2009 cars

  3.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 0.4% of all 2009 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.

• Windscreen1.6× usual
  Audi A3

  5.1% All 2009 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2009 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£300 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check for chips or cracks in the driver's view.

Common 2009 Audi A3 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2009 Audi A3 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  45% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  29% 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.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  12% 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.

• Driveshafts and joints
  11% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Known faults on the 2009 Audi A3

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Timing chain wear (1.2 TSI petrol)

  1.2 TSI petrol (older engine)

  The older 1.2 TSI petrol uses a timing chain that can stretch. It starts as a rattle, especially when the engine first starts, and if it’s left the chain can fail and destroy the engine. Some garages advise changing it as often as every four years or 40,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Start the engine from cold and listen for a rattle in the first few seconds. Ask whether the chain has been changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Parkers: Volkswagen Polo (2009-2017) used review

• Fuel pipe leak (2.0 TDI)

  2.0 TDI diesel

  Common-rail 2.0 TDIs from 2008 to 2011 could leak fuel. Audi fitted weights to the fuel pipes.

  At the viewing: Sniff for diesel around the engine.

  Source: What Car?: common Audi A3 (2003-2012) problems

• DSG power loss (2008 to 2009)

  DSG automatic

  A faulty clutch temperature sensor in the DSG could cause a loss of power. Audi reprogrammed the gearboxes.

  At the viewing: Drive in traffic and accelerate from low speed.

  Source: What Car?: common Audi A3 (2003-2012) problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2009 Audi A3

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

1. Has the timing chain been changed, and is there an invoice? Does it rattle when you start it from cold?
2. Has the fuel pipe fix been done?
3. Has the gearbox been reprogrammed?
4. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2009 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2009 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the ball joint dust cover? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2009 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)