2020 Audi A3 E-Tron 40 S-A 1.4L Hybrid electric (clean) · LP69 YJB

An Audi A3 e-tron from 2020 with this DVSA profile carries a broadly reassuring roadworthiness trajectory, anchored by its latest pass at the 2026-06-29 test, but with a couple of recurring tyre and glazing concerns that have surfaced intermittently. Across six recorded tests spanning just over three and a half years, the car has accumulated three passes with no advisories and two passes with advisories, alongside a single failure on the 2025-06-30 retest classified as Dangerous due to a structurally compromised offside rear tyre. The earlier failure in December 2023 was mechanical in nature, specifically a Major defect for an offside rear passenger door that could not be opened from outside, which by definition is a security and egress issue rather than a wear item. The advisory pattern on this vehicle points squarely at rubber components and minor body glass, with rear inner-edge tyre wear noted in late 2023 and front tyre wear and perishing resurfacing at the most recent test. There is no evidence in the DVSA output of corrosion, suspension, brake, exhaust, lighting, or structural concerns, which is the more reassuring side of the record, but the test history is not without fault and should be read with that balance in mind. At 50,217 miles on a 2020 registration, this e-tron has averaged approximately 8,370 miles per year, which sits comfortably within the typical range for a car of its age and class and points to regular rather than extreme use. The mileage accumulation across the recorded tests is steady and consistent, with no obvious gaps suggesting long periods off the road and no sudden jumps that would imply a change of use or an odometer inconsistency within the MOT dataset. Mechanically, this pattern is favourable for a plug-in hybrid powertrain, because both the 1.4 TFSI petrol engine and the e-tron specific electric drivetrain components, including the high-voltage battery pack, electric motor and associated cooling systems, benefit from regular cycling rather than prolonged standing. Brake discs and pads on e-tron models are also known to suffer from surface rust and low-speed corrosion when a vehicle is left unused, as regenerative braking handles much of the deceleration, so the steady usage indicated by this mileage history reduces the likelihood of seized calipers or heavily lipped front discs that often plague low-activity hybrids. For a prospective buyer, the immediate priority raised by the most recent advisories is a close inspection of all four tyres. The 2026 test recorded both front tyres as worn close to the legal limit and showing damage, cracking or perishing, with the offside front additionally flagged as worn on its edge, which can indicate a tracking or suspension geometry issue rather than simple age-related wear. It would be prudent to check the rear tyres for the inner-edge wear pattern that was first flagged in December 2023, as a recurrence on the same axle after more than two years could suggest persistent geometry misalignment, particularly toe setting, or worn rear suspension linkages that have not yet generated an advisory. On a test drive, listen for any clonking or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven surfaces, feel for steering wheel vibration or pulling to one side under braking, and pay particular attention to any vagueness or knocking through the steering rack, as edge wear on the offside front tyre can accompany play in track rod ends or wishbone bushes on MQB-platform Audis of this era. The e-tron plug-in hybrid system itself does not feature directly in the MOT record, but a buyer should still approach a test drive with attention to its specific characteristics. Listen for any uneven idle, misfire or rough running from the petrol engine when it kicks in under load, and observe whether the transition between electric and combustion modes is smooth or accompanied by a noticeable shunt. Check the operation of all four doors individually from outside and inside, in light of the December 2023 failure where the offside rear passenger door would not open from outside, confirming that the mechanism now functions correctly and that no child locks or latch faults are present. Inspect the windscreen for any chip growth beyond the small marks previously noted, ensure all door seals are intact, and verify the rear inner tyre wear pattern has not returned by measuring tread depth across the full width of each rear tyre rather than just the centre. Finally, given the Dangerous tyre failure on the 2025-06-30 retest, ask to see evidence of the replacement tyres fitted at that point and check their age and condition, as structurally failed rubber can occasionally indicate prior impact damage or kerbing that may have also affected the wheel itself.