2017 Audi A3 1.5L Petrol · EX67 HSD

A clear pattern emerges from the MOT history of this 2017 Audi A3 centred on two recurring advisory items: exhaust noise and front tyre wear, both of which have surfaced more than once across the recorded tests. The most recent examination on 24 April 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, suggesting that the issues flagged previously were addressed before the latest test, but the trend over the prior four years points to ongoing wear rather than one-off events. Exhaust noise advisories were issued in 2024 and 2025, indicating a likely deterioration of the rear or centre silencer, mounting rubbers, or a heat shield rattle, all of which are common on MQB-platform vehicles of this age. Front tyre edge wear has been flagged in 2021 and 2025, which on an Audi A3 frequently points to worn front suspension bushes, top mount bearings, or tracking misalignment rather than simply tyre rotation discipline. Recorded mileage stands at 78,365 miles over approximately nine years of age, equating to an annual accumulation of roughly 8,700 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this profile. There are no dramatic mileage spikes or extended gaps in the testing record that would suggest long periods off the road or unusually heavy use. The testing cadence is reasonably regular with tests in 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025, and 2026, the only notable absence being a missed 2023 slot, which could reflect a late or early MOT submission rather than a lay-up. Mechanically, this level of usage places the A3 squarely in mid-life territory where consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension bushes require close attention, but does not flag the kind of wear expected from exceptionally high mileage or prolonged inactivity. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the front braking system on the test drive. The 2022 test recorded front brake discs as worn, pitted, and scored on both sides, and at four years on from that advisory those discs are now likely approaching or past the point of replacement. On inspection, feel for a pulsing or juddering sensation through the brake pedal under firm application, and listen for any grinding or scraping noise, particularly from the offside front, as that side has historically run hotter on this platform. Check the discs visually for a distinct lipped edge and any blueing from heat stress, and confirm the caliper sliders move freely without binding, as seized calipers are a known weakness on A3s that have covered this sort of mileage. Suspension refinement is equally important given the recurring tyre edge wear advisories, which on the A3 frequently trace back to worn front wishbone bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, or top mount bearings. During the test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed bumps and uneven surfaces, and pay attention to whether the steering pulls to either side or feels vague on a motorway cruise, as both can indicate worn bushes or tracking issues that have not yet reached advisory threshold. Inspect the exhaust system at low level for any visible corrosion, cracked mounting rubbers, or loose heat shields, as the repeated noise advisories suggest degradation rather than a single failed component. Finally, confirm that the front tyres are wearing evenly across their width, because uneven inner or outer shoulder wear on a fresh set of tyres would confirm the underlying suspension geometry issue that has been flagged repeatedly.