The picture
A3 S Line 30 Tfsi: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 953 MOT tests, the A3 S Line 30 Tfsi returns 91.4% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is tyre tread under the limit. A seriously damaged tyre and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 24,642, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
35 occurrences · 3.7% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
21 occurrences · 2.2% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
15 occurrences · 1.6% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
11 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 05
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
8 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 06
A tyre seriously damaged
6 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 07
A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
5 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 08
Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 09
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
4 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 10
a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
3 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£120–£190
If every one of this A3 S Line 30 Tfsi's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a A3 S Line 30 Tfsi?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a A3 S Line 30 Tfsi and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.