The picture
A3 Sport 35 Tfsi: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 592 MOT tests, the A3 Sport 35 Tfsi returns 91.9% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is tyre tread under the limit. Windscreen damage and a seriously damaged tyre round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 21,892, 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
19 occurrences · 3.2% of tests
- 02
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
11 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 03
A tyre seriously damaged
5 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
A tyre cords visible or damaged
5 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 05
A tyre seriously damaged
5 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 06
Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 07
A wheel with a loose or missing wheel nut, bolt or stud
2 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 08
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 09
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
1 occurrences · 0.2% of tests
- 10
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
1 occurrences · 0.2% 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 Sport 35 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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Tools that pre-empt a retest.
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 Sport 35 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 Sport 35 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.