Audi S3 MOT pass rate and common problems
90.0% of 13,212 Audi S3 MOT tests pass.
The S3 passes its MOT 90.0% of the time — well above the average across all Audi models, which sits at 84.5%.
The Audi S3 passes its MOT 90.0% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi S3?
This is the average across every Audi S3 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 95.4% at 0–3 years to 80.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.4% | 2,448 | 23,551 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.8% | 3,039 | 29,008 miles |
| 6–10 years | 92.9% | 1,837 | 69,082 miles |
| 10–15 years | 87.0% | 3,622 | 87,351 miles |
| 15+ years | 80.2% | 2,266 | 121,380 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi S3
The most common reason the Audi S3 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 36.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.4% | Too low |
| Tyres | 31.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Suspension | 27.9% | Ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 24.6% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Brakes | 23.2% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 9.9% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 8.8% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.9% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.5% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Audi S3: what to check
These checks follow the Audi S3’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Audi S3 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 87.0% to 80.2%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 88.8% down to 83.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 36.4% of failed Audi S3 MOTs. 14.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 31.6% of failed Audi S3 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 27.9% of failed Audi S3 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 24.6% of failed Audi S3 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 23.2% of failed Audi S3 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 9.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi A7 — 89.7% pass rate
- Audi E-Tron — 92.7% pass rate
- Audi A8 — 91.4% pass rate
- Audi R8 — 95.0% pass rate
- Audi Q8 — 95.1% pass rate
- Audi A2 — 64.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi S3?
- 90.0% of Audi S3 MOT tests pass, based on 13,212 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi S3?
- The most common reason the Audi S3 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 36.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Too low".
- What are the common problems with the Audi S3?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi S3 are lights and electrics; tyres; suspension. 14.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.1% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi S3?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; tyres; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; brakes. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi S3's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.