2021 Audi A3 S Line 40 Tfsi E S-A 1.4L Hybrid electric (clean) · ST71 BDF

The most recent DVSA MOT test conducted on 13 October 2025 recorded a clean pass with no defects or advisories, indicating that at the point of inspection the vehicle satisfied all statutory roadworthiness requirements. The prior test from 21 October 2024 also resulted in a pass, albeit accompanied by four advisories relating to brake disc condition and rear tyre perishing. The overall maintenance trend therefore appears stable rather than deteriorating, with the advisory items from the previous test apparently having been addressed or monitored, given that no repeat advisories were issued twelve months later. The absence of any structural corrosion advisories, suspension defects, or major item failures across the recorded test history is a positive indicator of consistent upkeep, though the limited number of MOT entries available (this being a relatively new vehicle first registered in 2021) means the full service and mechanical history should still be scrutinised through the documented service book and any available dealer or specialist invoices. With a recorded mileage of 38,888 miles across approximately five years of age, this Audi A3 S Line 40 TFSI e is accumulating usage at a rate of roughly 7,778 miles per annum, which is broadly consistent with average UK driving patterns for a premium electrified vehicle of this type. There are no significant unexplained gaps in the recorded odometer readings between the two MOT tests, suggesting either consistent daily use or accurate recording. For a plug-in hybrid of this age and mileage, the mechanical wear profile should be moderate, with the petrol engine, DSG automatic transmission, and electric drivetrain having experienced proportionate use. Buyers should nevertheless verify that the high-voltage battery state of health, 12V auxiliary battery condition, and hybrid system diagnostics have been regularly checked, as plug-in hybrid components can degrade with time irrespective of overall mileage. The advisory items recorded on the 2024 test centred on inner front brake disc surface corrosion and rear tyre sidewall perishing. Inner disc pitting on a front axle typically results from corrosion accumulating on the inboard face where pad contact is less aggressive, often exacerbated by short journeys, light braking, or periods of standing. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for any brake shudder, vibration through the steering wheel under firm pedal application, or any grinding or squealing noises that might indicate the discs have worn beyond their service limit or that the calipers are binding. Given that no advisories were raised at the 2025 test, the discs may have been cleaned, machined, or replaced, and it would be prudent to confirm this through accompanying invoices. Brake fluid should also be changed in line with manufacturer schedules, typically every two to three years regardless of mileage, to prevent moisture ingress and reduced boiling point under sustained use. The rear tyre perishing advisories from 2024 suggest that the original or early replacement tyres had begun to degrade through age rather than purely wear, which is common on vehicles that may have stood for extended periods or that have been fitted with tyres manufactured some years before fitment. On a physical inspection, the buyer should check the production date codes on all four tyres (a four-digit DOT code on the sidewall indicating week and year of manufacture) and confirm that none are older than five to six years, as rubber compounds harden and crack with age regardless of tread depth. Given that the vehicle is now five years old, particular attention should also be paid to age-related deterioration including coolant renewal, automatic transmission fluid and filter service for the DSG gearbox, and the condition of suspension bushes and coil springs which can deteriorate on UK roads exposed to winter salt. A thorough pre-purchase inspection by a specialist familiar with Audi MQB platform vehicles, including a scan for any stored fault codes in the hybrid control modules and a battery health report, would be strongly advisable to complement the encouraging MOT history.