Does the Audi A3 fail the MOT on visibility more than it should?
The Audi A3 records 7.13 visibility failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 7.76 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.63, 95% interval −0.66 to −0.59). It ranks 382 of 746 models on visibility (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on visibility · check a Audi A3 by registration
What exactly fails on visibility?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Audi A3 is “Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view”, recorded 78,804 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view | 78,804 | 3.23 |
| Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 31,798 | 1.30 |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 22,329 | 0.91 |
| Wiper blade defective | 19,659 | 0.80 |
| Obligatory mirror or device slightly damaged or loose | 8,484 | 0.35 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 2,442,554 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If a Audi A3 gets a visibility advisory, how often does it fail next time?
11.5% of Audi A3 MOTs with a visibility advisory were followed by a fail in the same group at the next MOT, typically 12 months and 6,618 miles later (1,900 advisories followed).
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,900 (advisories followed) · Method: the same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Audi A3 1998 · Audi A3 1999 · Audi A3 2000 · Audi A3 2001 · Audi A3 2002 · Audi A3 2003 · Audi A3 2004 · Audi A3 2005 · Audi A3 2006 · Audi A3 2007 · Audi A3 2008 · Audi A3 2009 · Audi A3 2010 · Audi A3 2011 · Audi A3 2012 · Audi A3 2013 · Audi A3 2014 · Audi A3 2015 · Audi A3 2016 · Audi A3 2017 · Audi A3 2018 · Audi A3 2019 · Audi A3 2020 · Audi A3 in Finland · Audi A3 in the Netherlands · Audi A3 in Norway · Audi A3 by postcode area · Audi A3 body, chassis and structure failures · Audi A3 brakes failures · Audi A3 vehicle identification failures · Audi A3 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Audi A3 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Audi A3 road wheels failures · Audi A3 seat belts and airbags failures · Audi A3 steering failures · Audi A3 suspension failures · Audi A3 tyres failures