2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a models manufactured in 2008, based on 38 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a MOT Analysis
The 2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a has an MOT pass rate of 73.7% based on 38 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 76,530 miles on the odometer. With a 26.3% failure rate, the 2008 A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a is Suspension, responsible for 10.5% of failures. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs range from £200–500. Tyres is the second most common issue at 10.5%. Road Wheels follows at 7.9%.
Top failures specific to 2008 models only. The overall A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 10.5% | 4 |
| 2 | Tyres | 10.5% | 4 |
| 3 | Road Wheels | 7.9% | 3 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 1 |
| 5 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 2.6% | 1 |
| 6 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 2.6% | 1 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 76,530 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 1.38 | 10.5% | 4 |
| Tyres | 1.38 | 10.5% | 4 |
| Wheels | 1.03 | 7.9% | 3 |
| Brakes | 0.34 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.34 | 2.6% | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 0.34 | 2.6% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a has an MOT pass rate of 73.7% based on 38 tests — above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 76,530 miles on the odometer. With a 26.3% failure rate, the 2008 A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a is rated as "Very Good" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to suspension: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks. At 76,530 average miles, these vehicles are in the mid-range where component wear starts to become a factor.
Suspension — 10.5% of failures
Suspension issues account for 10.5% of MOT failures on 2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Tyres — 10.5% of failures
Tyres issues account for 10.5% of MOT failures on 2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Road Wheels — 7.9% of failures
Road Wheels issues account for 7.9% of MOT failures on 2008 Audi A3 Se 138 Tdi S-a models. Wheel failures include cracked or severely corroded alloy wheels, missing or loose wheel nuts, and wheels that are insecurely attached. These are safety-critical and relatively rare compared to tyre failures. Typical repair costs: £100–400 per wheel. Pre-MOT check: Visually inspect wheels for cracks, especially around the spokes and rim. Check that all wheel nuts are present and tightened. Look for signs of impact damage on alloy wheels.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.