2017 Audi A3 2.0L Petrol · SS03 MAB

The 2017 Audi A3 was presented for its most recent MOT on 17 March 2026 and was issued a clean pass, although the examiner recorded an advisory noting that the rear brake pads are wearing thin. Looking at the recent test history, the vehicle has passed every annual inspection without any advisories recorded in 2022, 2023, or 2024, indicating a stable and well-maintained pattern during that period. However, the two most recent tests in 2025 and 2026 have each carried advisory items relating to brake components and tyres, suggesting that wear-related deterioration is beginning to appear as the vehicle enters its ninth year of service. The trend is therefore consistent with a car of this age and mileage reaching the point where routine braking and tyre renewal are becoming relevant rather than indicating any sudden mechanical decline. The recorded mileage of 81,055 miles over approximately nine years equates to an average annual usage of around 9,000 miles, which is broadly typical for a private or mixed-use vehicle of this age. There are no unusually large gaps between test dates that would suggest long periods of standing, nor any evidence of rapid mileage accumulation that might point to heavy commercial or motorway use. This balanced usage profile is generally favourable, as the vehicle has likely experienced regular warm-up cycles and consistent component engagement rather than suffering the corrosion issues associated with prolonged inactivity or the accelerated wear associated with very high mileages. That said, at 81,000 miles the timing belt, if the A3 is fitted with a belt-driven engine rather than a chain, would normally be approaching the upper end of its recommended replacement interval, and this should be verified independently of the MOT record. Given the rear brake pad advisory issued at the latest test, prospective buyers should anticipate that the pads are approaching the end of their service life and will require attention in the near term. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping noises from the rear axle under light braking, and feel for any pulling to one side or vibration through the brake pedal, which could indicate uneven pad wear or a binding caliper. It would also be prudent to inspect the rear brake discs for lipping or corrosion, particularly given the advisory on the front inner discs recorded at the previous test, and to confirm whether the front discs have since been re-surfaced or replaced. A visual inspection of pad material thickness through the wheel spokes, or by removing a wheel if possible, will give a clearer indication of remaining life. The 2025 advisory regarding an offside front inner tyre worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge should prompt a close inspection of all four tyres for both tread depth and, importantly given the vehicle's age, sidewall condition. Tyres fitted in 2017 or earlier may now exhibit perishing or cracking from age-related rubber degradation, even if the tread depth appears adequate. Equally, the front inner disc advisory warrants checking for any pulsation under braking or steering irregularities that might suggest warped discs. Beyond the recorded advisories, a nine-year-old Audi A3 warrants attention to age-related items not necessarily captured in the MOT, including the condition of the 12V battery, the freshness of the brake fluid, coolant, and automatic transmission fluid or manual gearbox oil according to service schedule, the integrity of the silicone coolant hoses and turbo plumbing if a TFSI engine is fitted, and any oil seepage around the cam chain area or from the sump. Verification of a complete service history with stamps at the correct intervals, particularly for the long-life oil and filter changes specified by Audi, would provide strong reassurance of continued mechanical integrity.