Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

Audi A3 (2015–2017) Reliability

The Audi A3 (2015–2017) scores 74/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from ADAC, DVSA, NHTSA, TÜV data. The most-flagged failure mode is magnetic ride suspension failure (s3), typically surfacing between 80,000 and 160,000 km. Workshop repair runs €800–€1,800. In total we track 2 documented issues for this model — ranked by severity below. Estimated used prices span €9,100–€17,500.

Composite Score
74
/ 100
Good
Sources: ADAC · DVSA · NHTSA · TÜV · latest 2026
Market Snapshot
Listed model years20152017
Est. used price€9,100€17,500
Documented issues2
Listings in catalogue47
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Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

NHTSA (US Complaints)
Model years 2013–2019 · 2026 report · n=360
360 complaints across 5 sampled year(s); resolved model="A3"
View source ↗
57
/ 100
ADAC (European Auto Club)
All model years · 2025 report
6.6/1000 breakdowns
View source ↗
69
/ 100
TÜV (Germany)
All model years · 2025 report
HU defect rate (TÜV Report 2025): 10-11yr 15.9%
View source ↗
79
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2004–2021 · 2024 report · n=618255
618,255 UK MOT tests · overall 19.3% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
82
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2020 · 2023 report · n=387603
387,603 UK MOT tests · overall 22.1% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
76
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 618,255 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 35 yrs
80
8.3% fail vs 10.9% fleet
46,452 tests
Age 69 yrs
87
11.1% fail vs 19.2% fleet
241,081 tests
Age 1014 yrs
81
23.1% fail vs 32.1% fleet
215,092 tests
Age 1520 yrs
75
34.0% fail vs 38.8% fleet
115,630 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Joints
49,811
23.6%
#2
Condition
47,383
22.5%
#3
Windscreen
40,479
19.2%
#4
Registration plate lamp(s)
40,115
19.0%
#5
Linkage ball joint dust cover
32,991
15.7%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

Known Issues

Specific failure modes documented across European workshops, owner forums, and TSBs. Costs in EUR (and USD reference) reflect typical retail European labor + parts ranges — specialist shops at the low end, dealer pricing at the high end.

Magnetic ride suspension failure (S3)
Typical at 80,000160,000 km
8P/8V S3 magnetic ride dampers fail/leak; replacement is per-corner and not cheap.
€800€1,800medium
Sunroof drain blockage → water ingress
Typical at 100,000200,000 km
A3 sunroof drain tubes block; water in carpets, electrical module corrosion underneath seats.
€300€1,000medium

Compare Against Alternatives

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