Audi RS3 (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 61 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,808

£234/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£445

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2480cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £2,808/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol2480cc14 years old61 tests69k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2480cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£445

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,808

Per month£234/mo

Per week£54/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data.

89% of MOT tests on Audi RS3s from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 61 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 68,655 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models155th of 650(top 24%)

Rank among Audi models756th of 1,066(bottom half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average+11%(78% avg)

vs Audi average-1%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

68,655

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Audi RS3 had 68,655 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Audi RS3 by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2018	100%	47	37,850 mi
2017	100%	52	34,211 mi
2016	96%	113	57,368 mi
2015	95%	62	49,138 mi
2012	89%	61	68,655 mi
2011	94%	32	84,305 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Nissan Qashqai

2011 · 1997cc Petrol

£2,711/year

69%

-20%

Audi A3

2010 · 1984cc Petrol

£2,511/year

77%

-12%

Renault Clio

2010 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,711/year

69%

-20%

Vauxhall Insignia

2011 · 2792cc Petrol

£2,958/year

77%

-12%

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About the 2012 Audi RS3

The 2012 Audi RS3 is a premium car. Our records list a 2480cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 61 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a rare model on UK roads. It ranks in the top 24% of all 2012 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 68,655 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Audi RS3 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Audi RS3 Fuel Costs

The 2480cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2012 Audi RS3?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,808 (£234/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Buying a Used 2012 Audi RS3

At 14 years old, the Audi RS3 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. Note: with only 61 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 14 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2012 Audi RS3 stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Audi RS3(2012)	89%	£1,958	£445	Grp 25-38	£2,808
Nissan Qashqai(2011)	69%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711-£97
Audi A3(2010)	77%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,511-£297
Renault Clio(2010)	69%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711-£97
Vauxhall Insignia(2011)	77%	£1,958	£445	Grp 30-42	£2,958+£150

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2012 Audi RS3

Is the 2012 Audi RS3 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2012 Audi RS3s ended in a pass, from 61 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Audi RS3 cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,808 a year (£234 a month): £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Audi RS3?

89% of 61 MOT tests on the 2012 Audi RS3 ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 155th of 650 models first registered in 2012 (top 24%).

What is the average mileage for a 2012 Audi RS3?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Audi RS3 is 68,655 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.