The picture
A3 E-Tron 40 S-A: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 1,268 MOT tests, the A3 E-Tron 40 S-A returns 85.3% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a tyre with the cords showing. A seriously damaged tyre and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 29,889, 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
A tyre cords visible or damaged
59 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
32 occurrences · 2.5% of tests
- 03
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
24 occurrences · 1.9% of tests
- 04
A tyre seriously damaged
23 occurrences · 1.8% of tests
- 05
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
18 occurrences · 1.4% of tests
- 06
Stop lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
14 occurrences · 1.1% of tests
- 07
Wiper blade defective
9 occurrences · 0.7% of tests
- 08
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
8 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 09
A tyre seriously damaged
7 occurrences · 0.6% of tests
- 10
A tyre has a lump, bulge or tear caused by separation or partial failure of its structure. This includes any lifting of the tread rubber
6 occurrences · 0.5% 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 E Tron 40 S A'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 E Tron 40 S A?
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 E Tron 40 S A 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.