Audi A3 vs Ford Focus: which fails its MOT less?
Allowing for age, the Audi A3 fails its MOT less often than the Ford Focus.
- less often than the Ford Focus, at the same age
- 17.0%less often than the Ford Focus, at the same age
MOTs passed in 2024: Audi A3 78.6%, Ford Focus 74.8%
Data: DVSA MOT results · 2024 · 1,305,780 tests
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Which fails less for its age?
Allowing for age, the Audi A3 fails less often: MOT Risk Index 84.8 against 102.7 (100 = normal for its age; difference 17.9, 95% CI 17.4–18.4).
| Measure | Audi A3 | Ford Focus | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passed at the first attempt, % | 74.0 | 67.8 | 2024 |
| MOT Risk Index (100 = normal) | 84.8 | 102.7 | 2024 |
| 95% interval of the index | 84.3–85.2 | 102.4–103.0 | 2024 |
| Rank among 761 models (1 = fails least for its age) | 304 | 482 | 2024 |
| First tests | 389,739 | 916,041 | 2024 |
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After defects were fixed at the test centre
78.6% of Audi A3 tests and 74.8% of Ford Focus tests passed, including defects fixed during the test. This is a different outcome from passing at the first attempt.
What explains the difference?
The clearest difference is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: against its own class and age, the Audi A3 runs −3.5 items per 100 tests and the Ford Focus +0.0, so the Audi A3 has 3.5 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 3.5 to 3.6).
Each model is compared with its own class and age; the fleets can differ in mileage and use.
More detail
Dangerous defects and advisory items
| Measure | Audi A3 | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Dangerous defects per 100 tests | 11.4 | 13.2 |
| Advisory items per 100 tests | 116.3 | 143.8 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data, 2019–2024. A test can record several items. CSV
At what age does one of them fail more?
The Audi A3 fails less at 16 of 17 ages where both are tested, and the gap points the same way at every age where it is clear. Across the 4 yearly tests from age 4 to 7, the gaps add up to 14.5 extra failed tests per 100 for the Ford Focus (a sum of yearly rates, not the chance of one car failing).
| Age | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | +0.2 | −0.2 to +0.5 | not distinguishable |
| 4 | −1.3 | −1.6 to −1.0 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 5 | −2.8 | −3.0 to −2.5 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 6 | −4.6 | −4.9 to −4.3 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 7 | −5.8 | −6.1 to −5.5 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 8 | −7.5 | −7.9 to −7.2 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 9 | −8.1 | −8.5 to −7.7 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 10 | −7.8 | −8.2 to −7.4 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 11 | −6.0 | −6.5 to −5.6 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 12 | −4.5 | −4.9 to −4.0 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 13 | −3.6 | −4.0 to −3.2 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 14 | −3.1 | −3.6 to −2.6 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 15 | −2.4 | −2.9 to −1.9 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 16 | −2.8 | −3.4 to −2.2 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 17 | −3.1 | −3.8 to −2.4 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 18 | −2.8 | −3.7 to −2.0 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 19 | −3.2 | −4.3 to −2.1 | Audi A3 fails less |
| Age band | Ages included | Audi A3, % | Ford Focus, % | Difference, pp | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3–5 | 3–5 | 12.0 | 13.4 | −1.4 | −1.5 to −1.3 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 6–10 | 6–10 | 20.7 | 27.9 | −7.2 | −7.3 to −7.1 | Audi A3 fails less |
| 11+ | 11–20+ | 39.4 | 43.8 | −4.4 | −4.5 to −4.3 | Audi A3 fails less |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,308,670 (initial tests at shared ages) · Method: difference of two proportions per age, Bonferroni-corrected for 17 ages; age bands pool the published ages with an unadjusted 95% interval, and the same car can appear at more than one age, so that interval is somewhat narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Where do their MOT failures diverge?
The clearest difference is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: against its own class and age, the Audi A3 runs −3.5 items per 100 tests and the Ford Focus +0.0, so the Audi A3 has 3.5 fewer per 100 tests (95% interval 3.5 to 3.6).
| Component group | Audi A3 vs its class | Ford Focus vs its class | Gap, Audi A3 minus Ford Focus | 95% interval | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | −3.5 | +0.0 | −3.5 | −3.6 to −3.5 | Audi A3 fails less |
| Body, chassis, structure | +1.7 | −0.7 | +2.4 | +2.3 to +2.4 | Ford Focus fails less |
| Brakes | −2.3 | −3.8 | +1.5 | +1.5 to +1.6 | Ford Focus fails less |
| Suspension | +0.4 | +1.8 | −1.4 | −1.5 to −1.3 | Audi A3 fails less |
| Steering | −1.9 | −1.3 | −0.6 | −0.6 to −0.6 | Audi A3 fails less |
| Visibility | −0.6 | −1.0 | +0.4 | +0.3 to +0.4 | too small to matter |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 8,517,285 (initial tests) · Method: each model's failure items per 100 tests against the rate expected for its own class and age; Poisson interval; the age standard leaves the model out and is treated as fixed; items in the same test are treated as independent, so the interval is slightly narrow · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
If one fails, which is more likely to fail again?
A failure on the Ford Focus carries 1.3 percentage points more extra risk of failing again than on the Audi A3.
| Measure | Audi A3 | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| After a failed test, % | 33.7 | 40.4 |
| After a passed test, % | 21.7 | 27.2 |
| Extra risk carried by a failure, pp | 12.0 | 13.3 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 517,613 (tests after a fail) · Method: test chains of the same vehicles; cars sold or scrapped after a fail drop out · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
What do six years of MOTs show about the two?
The biggest gap in advisories turning into fails is body, chassis, structure: 19.2% on the Audi A3 against 14.0% on the Ford Focus failed on the same item at the next MOT.
| Component | Audi A3 | Ford Focus | Difference, pp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body, chassis, structure | 19.2 | 14.0 | +5.2 |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.0 | 7.0 | −2.9 |
| Steering | 11.0 | 13.7 | −2.7 |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 24.6 | 22.2 | +2.3 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.7 | 6.6 | +1.2 |
| Brakes | 10.0 | 11.1 | −1.0 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.8 | 3.7 | −0.9 |
| Tyres | 10.2 | 10.9 | −0.7 |
| Road wheels | 0.9 | 1.1 | −0.1 |
| Suspension | 22.4 | 22.5 | −0.1 |
| Measure | Audi A3 | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Repaired and passed the same day | 45.6% | 46.3% |
| Passed 1–10 days later | 51.8% | 51.1% |
| Median retest delay | 1.0 days | 1.0 days |
| Failures per 10,000 miles | 0.363 | 0.515 |
| Three-test clean streak | 38.1% | 33.2% |
| Same advisory repeated 3+ times | 29.8% | 34.6% |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 5,408,805 (tracked advisories) · Method: same vehicles followed to their next ordinary MOT; common publishable components only · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Recalls, other countries and running costs, side by side
DVSA lists 26 recall campaigns matched to the Audi A3 and 96 to the Ford Focus; more campaigns do not by themselves mean a less reliable car. Abroad, compare each model with that country's own average, because pass rates do not carry across rulebooks. Repair bills are catalogue estimates, not quotes.
| Measure | Audi A3 | Ford Focus |
|---|---|---|
| DVSA recall campaigns listed | 26 | 96 |
| Finland Katsastus: fails, % (national average 26.3%) | 21.3 (17,390 inspections) | 28.1 (44,138 inspections) |
| Netherlands APK: fails, % (national average 50.8%) | 44.4 (63,554 inspections) | 51.8 (120,313 inspections) |
| Norway PKK: fails, % (national average 33.7%) | 34.4 (19,635 inspections) | 36.7 (20,894 inspections) |
| Expected MOT repair bill, £ (estimate) | £69 | £85 |
| Repair bill range, £ (catalogue range, not a 95% interval) | £69–£131 | £85–£162 |
Source: DVSA vehicle recalls register (OGL v3.0); Statens vegvesen PKK (CC BY 4.0), Traficom Katsastus (CC BY 4.0), RDW APK (CC0), adapted; UK repair price catalogue · Window: register as published; inspections 2024 · n = 285,924 (inspections abroad) · Method: recall campaigns matched by make and model, licensed-fleet denominator where available; abroad, samples below 500 suppressed and each model set against that country's own average, with no difference taken across countries; repair bill = chance of failing each item × its most common UK repair price, a catalogue estimate · Updated: 25 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV · licences and full notice
How to cite this comparison
MOT Risk Index (2026). Audi A3 vs Ford Focus: MOT statistics 2024 (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 25 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/compare/audi-a3-vs-ford-focus/
How the MOT Risk Index and every figure on this page are calculated: methodology.
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Audi A3 vs Ford Focus: quick answers
Is the Audi A3 or the Ford Focus more reliable?
Allowing for age, the Audi A3 fails less often: MOT Risk Index 84.8 against 102.7 (100 = normal for its age; difference 17.9, 95% CI 17.4–18.4).
Does the Audi A3 or the Ford Focus fail more MOTs?
26.0% of Audi A3 first tests and 32.2% of Ford Focus first tests failed in 2024. These raw rates do not allow for age; the MOT Risk Index does.
Which should I buy, the Audi A3 or the Ford Focus?
If MOT reliability decides it, the evidence favours the Audi A3. Still check the individual car's MOT history: these figures describe whole model populations.