2012 Audi A3: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2012 Audi A3?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2012 Audi A3 than on all cars registered in 2012.

• Individual direction indicators2.4× usual
  Audi A3

  7.1% All 2012 cars

  2.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.7%, against 1.1% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

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

• Suspension arm2.6× usual
  Audi A3

  4.9% All 2012 cars

  1.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2012 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.

• Link ball joint covers2.4× usual
  Audi A3

  4.7% All 2012 cars

  2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2.9%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Anti-roll bar link joints1.9× usual
  Audi A3

  5.6% All 2012 cars

  3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.5%, against 1.1% of all 2012 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.

• Sub-frame1.6× usual
  Audi A3

  5.6% All 2012 cars

  3.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

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

Common 2012 Audi A3 MOT failures and advisories

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
  35% 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
  24% 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
  6% 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 2012 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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2012 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. Any recent work on the individual direction indicators? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the 2012 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 2.4× as often on the 2012 Audi A3 as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?