MOT History from tests of diesel AUDI A3s year 1997

Review the list of common AUDI A3 failures below or to perform a specific mot history check on your AUDI then use our popular KnowYourCar service

mot history

Pass percent:47.01%

(The average a diesel AUDI A3 year 1997 passes without issue)

Based on:2,661 MOT Tests

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	324
Headlamp aim out of alignment	292
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	196
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	177
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	173
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	105
Registration plate issues	101
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	90
Brake pipe excessively corroded	77
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	76
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	75
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	66
Rear brake binding	65
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	60
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	58
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	45
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	43
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	43
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	42
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	42
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	40
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	39
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	38
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	37
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	37
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	36
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	34
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	34
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	33
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	30
Windscreen has damage	29
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	26
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	25
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	23
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	23
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	22
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	21
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	19
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	18
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	17
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	17
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	16
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	16
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	16
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	15
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	15
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	14
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	14
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	14
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Brake hose damaged	14
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	14
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	14
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	14
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Rear brake application uneven	13
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	12
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	11
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	10
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	10
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	10
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Centre Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	9
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	8
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	8
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	7
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	7
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	7
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	7
Nearside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	7
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	7
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not in good working order \|function impaired\| \|1.1.4a\|	6
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	6
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Driver`s airbag obviously defective \|5.4.1\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	6
Front brake excessively fluctuating	6
Front brake application uneven	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	6
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	5
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	5
Nearside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	5
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5

We get to these numbers by trawling through over 1 billion MOT test results since 2004 and crunched the numbers. We remove anything to do with Tyres, as they are model independent and group together common non-model specific issues. We are trying to get to a picture of what models have what issues.

Please note: We take the data from the DVSA. This data is raw and can contain typos and spelling mistakes that garages may have entered while recording a MOT result. Specifically miss-match on names of models and makes. We are constantly cleaning the data so bear with the odd issue.

Got suggestions? We’re improving this section all the time. If you have any suggestions, please let us know.

Most common failures	No# failures
Registration plate lamp issues	324
Headlamp aim out of alignment	292
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault	196
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively	177
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	173
Rear parking brake recording little or no effort	105
Registration plate issues	101
Nearside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	90
Brake pipe excessively corroded	77
Offside Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	76
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	75
Nearside Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	66
Rear brake binding	65
Nearside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	60
Offside Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	58
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	45
Brake hose excessively deteriorated	43
Exhaust emits an excessive level of metered smoke for a turbo charged engine \|7.4.B.3b\|	43
Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	42
Rear brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	42
Front Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	40
Brakes imbalanced across an axle	39
Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	38
Offside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	38
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	37
Offside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	37
Offside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	36
Rear Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	34
Nearside Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	34
Front brake disc in such a condition that it is seriously weakened	33
Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	30
Windscreen has damage	29
Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	28
Supplementary Restraint System warning lamp indicates a fault \|5.4.2\|	26
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	26
Nearside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	25
Offside Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	23
Offside Front Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	23
Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	23
Nearside Rear coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	22
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	21
Nearside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	21
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	20
Nearside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Offside Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	20
Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	19
Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	18
Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	18
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	18
Offside Rear coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	17
Offside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	17
Parking brake lever has no reserve travel \|3.1.6b\|	17
Horn not working \|1.6.2a\|	17
Emissions not tested \|7.0\|	16
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	16
Service brake: efficiency below requirements \|3.7.B.7\|	16
Nearside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	15
Nearside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	15
Nearside Front suspension has excessive play in a lower suspension ball joint \|2.5.B.1a\|	15
Rear Mechanical brake component has restricted free movement	15
Nearside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	14
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front coil spring incomplete \|2.4.C.1a\|	14
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment \|2.5.A.1c\|	14
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	14
Offside Front Direction indicators incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	14
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Brake hose damaged	14
Offside Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	14
Rear brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	14
Nearside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	14
Offside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	14
Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint \|2.4.G.2\|	13
Direction indicators not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	13
Rear brake application uneven	13
Front Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	13
Centre Exhaust has a major leak of exhaust gases \|7.1.2\|	12
Offside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	12
Centre Exhaust system not adequately supported \|7.1.1\|	11
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	11
Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	11
Nearside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	11
Offside Front Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	11
Nearside Rear coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	10
Driver`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	10
Offside Headlamp insecure \|1.7.3\|	10
Battery insecure \|1.9.1\|	10
Nearside Rear Braking system leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	10
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	10
Centre Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	10
Rear fog lamp tell tale not working \|1.3.1b\|	10
Offside Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect \|1.8.A.1b\|	9
Nearside Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	9
Nearside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	9
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Exhaust emits excessive smoke or vapour of any colour \|7.4.B.4\|	8
Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Nearside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Side repeater incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	8
Offside Rear Rear fog lamp not working \|1.3.2b\|	8
Offside Front constant velocity joint gaiter split \|2.5.C.1a\|	8
Rear Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	8
Offside Front Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	8
Windscreen has a sticker or other obstruction encroaching into the swept area by more than 40mm outside zone `A` \|8.3.1e\|	8
Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak \|2.7.3\|	7
Nearside Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	7
Offside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	7
Offside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	7
Nearside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	7
Stop lamp not working \|1.2.1b\|	7
Windscreen wiper blade insecure	7
Windscreen wiper not operating automatically when switched on \|8.2.1b\|	7
Nearside Front Brake hose excessively damaged \|3.6.B.4d\|	7
Nearside Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	7
Brake performance not tested \|3.7.A.1\|	7
Offside front brake binding \|3.7.B.1\|	7
Offside Front coil spring fractured \|2.4.C.1a\|	7
Front position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	7
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	7
Offside Front All position lamps not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Brake pedal spongy \|3.3.B.1b\|	6
Offside Front position lamp\|s\| not in good working order \|function impaired\| \|1.1.4a\|	6
Nearside rear brake recording little or no effort \|3.7.B.5a\|	6
Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive movement at a wishbone pin or bush \|2.5.A.1c\|	6
Nearside Front Front wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.5.A.3c\|	6
Nearside Front Direction indicator not working \|1.4.A.2c\|	6
Driver`s airbag obviously defective \|5.4.1\|	6
Nearside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Nearside Front Passenger`s seat insecure \|6.2.A.1\|	6
Offside Front Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Brake pedal creeps down when held under pressure \|3.3.B.1a\|	6
Front brake excessively fluctuating	6
Front brake application uneven	6
Offside Rear position lamp\|s\| not working \|1.1.A.3b\|	6
Offside Headlamp not in good working order adversely affecting beam image \|1.2.4a\|	6
Anti-lock braking system warning lamp does not illuminate \|3.4.1b\|	6
Offside Front Ball joint has excessive play \|2.2.B.1f\|	6
Offside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	6
Front Exhaust has part of the system excessively deteriorated \|7.1.1a\|	6
Offside Rear Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Parking brake lever defective so that it cannot be satisfactorily operated \|3.1.3c\|	5
Fuel system component leaking \|7.2.3\|	5
Front Direction indicator incorrect colour \|1.4.A.2f\|	5
Nearside Rear brake caliper leaking \|3.6.A.1\|	5
Nearside Front Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Offside Rear Wheel bolt\|s\| missing \|4.2.A.1e\|	5
Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Headlamp not working on dipped beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Driver`s seat cannot be secured in the upright position. \|6.2.A.2\|	5
Nearside Front Headlamp not working on main beam \|1.7.5a\|	5
Front brake disc excessively pitted \|3.5.1h\|	5
Rear Exhaust mounting missing \|7.1.1b\|	5
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush bonding deteriorated resulting in excessive movement \|2.4.G.2\|	5
Nearside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Offside Headlamp aim beam image kick up to the offside \|1.8\|	5
Steering system has excessive free play detected at the steering wheel \|steering rack fitted\| \|2.2.A.1b\|	5
Nearside Front coil spring broken \|2.4.C.1a\|	5
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has excessive play \|2.6.2\|	5
Nearside Front Anti-roll bar has excessive play in a pin/bush \|2.4.G.2\|	5

MOT History from tests of diesel AUDI A3s year 1997

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