Family hatchback · 1999–2021 cars

Audi S3 reliability

The Audi S3 fails 17.5% of first MOT tests, 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 17,452 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 91/100#1 of 65 family hatchbacks

Checking a Audi S3 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 17.5%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 45% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 17,452; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 8,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi S3 ages

Each point is the share of Audi S3s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi S3All cars

Audi S3 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi S3	All cars
3	6.1%	12.3%
4	6.8%	14.1%
6	10.7%	19.1%
7	11.8%	22.1%
8	9.9%	25.5%
9	12.7%	28.8%
10	14.2%	31.8%
11	21.2%	34.6%
12	21.6%	37.3%
13	24.9%	39.5%
14	22%	41.1%
15	24.1%	42.3%
16	22.8%	42.9%
17	22.5%	43.4%
19	32.8%	43.4%
20	32%	42.8%
21	32.3%	41.4%
22	31.1%	40.6%
23	25.1%	38.9%

By year

The best and worst Audi S3 years

2021 cars come out best and 2011 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi S3 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 S3	1,310	5%	58% fewer fails	27,868
2020 S3	1,567	6.6%	45% fewer fails	27,453
2017	219	10.5%	46% fewer fails	52,786
2016	323	8%	62% fewer fails	54,615
2015	768	8.5%	66% fewer fails	62,266
2014 S3	3,122	12.8%	54% fewer fails	69,900
2013	995	12.1%	60% fewer fails	74,428
2012	626	18.7%	46% fewer fails	80,940
2011 S3	1,178	22.2%	39% fewer fails	86,670
2010 S3	1,503	24%	39% fewer fails	93,354
2009 S3	1,071	21.6%	48% fewer fails	95,781
2008 S3	1,112	22.3%	49% fewer fails	111,039
2007 S3	1,242	25.2%	43% fewer fails	115,333
2003	443	35.4%	22% fewer fails	131,148
2002	672	28%	37% fewer fails	129,603
2001	447	31.3%	27% fewer fails	129,876
2000	319	30.7%	27% fewer fails	135,981
1999	225	35.6%	14% fewer fails	146,150

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi S3

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics6%55% below avg
Suspension5.3%52% below avg
Tyres4.1%37% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks4%3% above avg
Brakes3.6%55% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.3%49% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.8%66% below avg
Steering0.7%73% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.6%53% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.91% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.36% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.07% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
4
Headlamp aim set too low 1.05% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
5
Lambda reading outside specified limits 1.02% of tests
An out-of-range lambda reading suggests poor fuel mixture or a failing catalytic converter, so diagnosis is needed.
6
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.89% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
7
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 0.88% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.76% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi S3's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit9.22%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.36%
Brake pads wearing thin3.9%
Engine oil leak, not excessive3.52%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.13%
Coil spring showing some corrosion2.06%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi S3

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
4
Headlamp aim set too low
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi S3 covers about 8,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol99.9%
Diesel0.1%

Most common colours

Black, Blue, White, Grey, Red

Average engine size: 2.0 litres.

Compare

How the Audi S3 compares with its rivals

Audi S3 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi S3	17.5%	45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Infiniti Q30	14.9%	22% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Volkswagen e-Golf	12.4%	4% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Peugeot 306	43.7%	10% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai Matrix	46.8%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Chevrolet Cruze	39.2%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
DS4	29.4%	45% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every family hatchback ranked in the family hatchback reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi S3 questions, answered

Is the Audi S3 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi S3 is better than average: it fails 17.5% of first MOT tests, 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 1 of 65 family hatchback models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi S3 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi S3 are coil spring fractured or broken (1.91% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.36% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (1.07% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 6% of its tests.

Which Audi S3 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2011 cars do worst (39% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi S3 do a year?

A typical Audi S3 covers about 8,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi S3 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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