Audi S3 MOT failures and reliability

In 2023 the Audi S3 took 4,268 MOT tests in Britain and passed 81% of them first time, above the national average of 71% for all cars. The figures below come from the DVSA's record of every test, so they show what testers actually found on these cars rather than what owners report.

MOT tests in 2023: 4,268
First-time pass rate: 81%
All cars: 71%

What the S3 fails on

Share of tests with at least one failure in each area, against the figure for all cars.

Lights and electrics6.3% (all cars 11.3%)
Suspension6.0% (all cars 9.0%)
Tyres5.1% (all cars 6.4%)
Exhaust and emissions4.5% (all cars 3.1%)
Brakes3.9% (all cars 6.8%)
Body and structure2.4% (all cars 3.5%)
Visibility2.2% (all cars 4.8%)
Seat belts and airbags0.8% (all cars 1.0%)

Most common failure items

Share of tests on which each item was recorded.

Coil spring: fractured or broken 2.8%
Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 2.1%
Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits 1.5%
Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction 1.4%
Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt 1.3%
Headlamp aim: too low 1.3%
Tyres, condition: has ply or cords exposed 1.1%
Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits 1.1%

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 14.8%
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened 6.3%
Brake pads: wearing thin 5.7%
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive 4.8%
Coil spring: corroded 3.2%
Tyres, condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing 3.0%
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material 2.7%
Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases 2.7%

Pass rate by year of registration

Older cars fail more often whatever the model, so compare a car with others of the same age.

First registered	Tests	Pass rate
2007	322	73%
2010	353	78%
2014	706	86%
2020	585	93%

Typical mileage by age

Average odometer reading at the MOT, by the car's age in years at the test.

Age at test	Average mileage
3 years	21,655 miles
8 years	58,000 miles
9 years	68,804 miles
10 years	76,699 miles
11 years	82,553 miles
12 years	84,515 miles
13 years	91,480 miles
14 years	96,087 miles
15 years	109,336 miles
16 years	112,250 miles
20 years	135,330 miles

Check a particular S3

Model figures tell you what to look out for. To see one car's own MOT history, mileage and tax, enter its registration.

Other Audi models

Source: Department for Transport, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023, cars and light vans, normal tests only. Pass rates are first-time passes; a pass after repair at the test station counts as a fail. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.