Audi S3 MOT Pass Rates and Running Costs by Year

Reliability, estimated running costs, and MOT data across 19 model years from 8,907 MOT tests in 2024.

Avg Pass Rate

86%

Total Tests

8,907

Highest Pass Rate

2017 (96%)

Years Covered

About the Audi S3

The Audi S3 was MOT tested 8,907 times in 2024 (DVSA data, retests included) across 19 model years (1999 to 2019), with an average pass rate of 86%. That's slightly above the average of 82% across all models in our data. Our records list petrol versions.

Best and Worst Years

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 model has the highest pass rate at 96% from 135 tests. The 2003 model has the lowest at 72%. With a 24 point gap, the year you choose makes a real difference. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger.

Reliability Trend

Newer Audi S3s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 10 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1999) averages 143,273 miles, while the newest (2019) averages 32,831 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Audi brand average of 90%, the S3 is 4 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Audi models.

What the Audi S3 fails its MOT on most

Of 697 MOT tests on the Audi S3 that failed at the first attempt in 2025 (DVSA data), the share that failed on each area:

34%
Suspension
Same age: 38%
27%
Lights and electrics
Same age: 44%
25%
Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Same age: 13%

Audi S3 reliability, common problems and years to avoid

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

£1,631

Road Tax

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£2,086

Per month£174/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, average pump prices of 174.57p petrol and 199.33p diesel (GOV.UK weekly road fuel prices, week of 19 October 2026), and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2019 details

How reliable is the Audi S3?

vs average of all models+4% (82% avg)

vs Audi brand average-4% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread24 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Audi S3 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	96%	49	32,831 mi
2018	93%	100	48,229 mi
2017	96%	135	60,095 mi
2016	93%	190	61,138 mi
2015	94%	537	70,456 mi
2014	91%	1,975	75,271 mi
2013	92%	616	80,060 mi
2012	87%	341	88,186 mi
2011	87%	835	89,620 mi
2010	85%	1,034	96,246 mi
2009	88%	643	100,681 mi
2008	85%	620	114,238 mi
2007	84%	671	117,265 mi
2006	81%	54	112,877 mi
2003	72%	235	137,030 mi
2002	80%	362	128,988 mi
2001	80%	237	123,516 mi
2000	79%	141	132,942 mi
1999	76%	132	143,273 mi

Questions about the Audi S3

Is the Audi S3 reliable?

Across its 19 model years in our data (1999 to 2019), the Audi S3 averages an 86% MOT pass rate, from 8,907 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 4 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data. The 2017 model has the highest pass rate of the years with at least 100 tests, at 96%.

Which year Audi S3 has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2017 Audi S3 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 2003 model has the lowest at 72%, a 24 point gap. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.