Ford Focus III or Audi A3 (8V): which has fewer APK problems?

At 9–10 years (mostly built 2015–2017) 2.7% of inspected Ford Focus IIIs had at least one A-problem, against 2.5% for the Audi A3 (8V) and 4.7% nationally. The difference is small: the confidence intervals overlap, so at this age they are close. Over all ages together the Ford Focus III has an A-problem 16% less often than average, the Audi A3 (8V) 35% less often.

Window: Oct 2025 – Sep 2026 · Updated: 16 Oct 2026

At this age the A3 (8V) has fewer A-problems.

Also check the weak spots and the history of the specific car.

ModelModel years

Ford Focus III

2011 – 2019

Illustration Ford Focus III

Audi A3 (8V)

2012 – 2021

Illustration Audi A3 (8V)
AA-problemsDefects at the APK

2.7%

n = 13,017 · 95% CI 2.4 – 3.0%

2.5%

n = 14,069 · 95% CI 2.3 – 2.8%

All defectsAll kinds of APK defects

37.0%

n = 13,017 · 95% CI 36.2 – 37.8%

27.4%

n = 14,069 · 95% CI 26.7 – 28.2%

Three points to checkMost common defects at the APK
  1. 1Brakes
  2. 2Exhaust and emissions
  3. 3Seat belts, seats and airbags
  1. 1Brakes
  2. 2Seat belts, seats and airbags
  3. 3Springs and shock absorbers
Next stepSee the details or open the checklist.
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A-problems side by side

Percentages with 95% confidence intervals.

02468101214161820 A-problems (%) National: 4.7% · n = 877,805 · 95% CI 4.6 – 4.7% Ford Focus III2011 – 2019 2.7% (n = 13,017 · 95% CI 2.4 – 3.0%) Audi A3 (8V)2012 – 2021 2.5% (n = 14,069 · 95% CI 2.3 – 2.8%)

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More comparisons

Source: RDW Open Data (CC0), analysis CarXray.nl. 6,857,004 inspected passenger cars aged 3 years and older, Oct 2025 – Sep 2026. Each car counts once. How we know