2002 · 22 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2002 Audi S3 MOT pass rate and common faults

161 MOT tests in 2024. 71.4% passed first time, compared with 58.1% for all cars the same age.

123Well above average
Passed first time71.4%
Failed or needed repairs28.6%
Typical mileage at test130,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 161 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.7%
    7 marked dangerous
  2. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.7%
  3. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits3.7%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits3.1%
  5. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps3.1%
  6. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt3.1%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.5%
  8. Linkage ball joints: ball joint excessively worn2.5%
  9. Position lamp: not working1.9%
  10. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics21.7%
  2. Emissions & leaks15.5%
  3. Suspension12.4%
  4. Brakes11.2%
  5. Body & chassis6.8%
  6. Tyres6.2%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.6%
  8. Seat belts & airbags2.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine14.9%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded14.3%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm9.9%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn8.7%
  5. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened6.2%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2001 S3All S3 years2003 S3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 Audi S3?

In 2024, 71.4% of 2002 Audi S3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 161 tests. The average for all 22-year-old cars was 58.1%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2002 Audi S3?

The most common failure reasons were tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; coil spring: fractured or broken; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2002 Audi S3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 123, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).