2012 Audi S3 MOT Pass Rate
Pass rate for S3 models manufactured in 2012, based on 2,925 real MOT test results.
Data from official DVSA MOT testing records
This page shows all S3 cars tested in 2012. Want to see how cars built in 2012 hold up over time?
View 2012 Audi S3 vintage page → (81.2% current pass rate)2012 Audi S3 MOT Analysis
The 2012 Audi S3 has an MOT pass rate of 85.2% based on 2,925 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 48,912 miles on the odometer. With a 14.8% failure rate, the 2012 S3 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
The leading cause of MOT failure for the 2012 Audi S3 is Tyres, responsible for 1.4% of failures. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs range from £50–200 per tyre. Noise, emissions and leaks is the second most common issue at 1.4%. Suspension follows at 1.2%.
Top failures specific to 2012 models only. The overall S3 page may show different rankings.
What Fails Most
What Fails on This Car?
Click a category to see specific failure items.
View as table
| Rank | Failure Category | Rate (%) | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 1.4% | 41 |
| 2 | Noise, Emissions And Leaks | 1.4% | 41 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.2% | 35 |
| 4 | Lamps, Reflectors And Electrical Equipment | 1.1% | 33 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 24 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.5% | 16 |
| 7 | Body, Chassis, Structure | 0.3% | 9 |
| 8 | Non-component Advisories | 0.2% | 6 |
| 9 | Seat Belts And Supplementary Restraint Systems | 0.1% | 3 |
Failures per 10,000 Miles
avg. 48,912 miFor every 10,000 miles driven, this shows what percentage of MOT tests fail for each category. This accounts for how far cars are actually driven, not just raw pass/fail counts.
View as table
| Category | Rate / 10K mi | Raw % | Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 0.29 | 1.4% | 41 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.29 | 1.4% | 41 |
| Suspension | 0.24 | 1.2% | 35 |
| Lamps & Electrical | 0.23 | 1.1% | 33 |
| Brakes | 0.17 | 0.8% | 24 |
| Visibility | 0.11 | 0.5% | 16 |
| Body & Structure | 0.06 | 0.3% | 9 |
| Non-component advisories | 0.04 | 0.2% | 6 |
| Seat Belts | 0.02 | 0.1% | 3 |
| Steering | 0.01 | 0.0% | 1 |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.01 | 0.0% | 1 |
Mileage Statistics
Mileage-adjusted failure rate — accounts for how much this model year is typically driven.
About This Data
The 2012 Audi S3 has an MOT pass rate of 85.2% based on 2,925 tests — well above the UK average for UK vehicles. Cars of this vintage present for MOT with an average of 48,912 miles on the odometer. With a 14.8% failure rate, the 2012 S3 is rated as "Excellent" for MOT reliability.
If you own or are considering buying a 2012 Audi S3, you can expect reliable MOT performance overall. Before your MOT, pay particular attention to tyres: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating. With relatively low average mileage of 48,912 miles, many of these vehicles are still in good mechanical condition.
Tyres — 1.4% of failures
Tyres issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 2012 Audi S3 models. Tyre failures include tread depth below the legal minimum of 1.6mm, cuts, bulges, exposed cords, and incorrect tyre pressure. Tyres are one of the most common and easiest-to-prevent MOT failures. Typical repair costs: £50–200 per tyre. Pre-MOT check: Check tread depth with a 20p coin — if the outer band is visible, the tyre is too worn. Look for bulges, cuts, or embedded objects. Ensure all tyres match the recommended size and load rating.
Noise, emissions and leaks — 1.4% of failures
Noise, emissions and leaks issues account for 1.4% of MOT failures on 2012 Audi S3 models. Emissions failures occur when exhaust gases exceed legal limits for carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), or particulate matter (diesel). Common causes include faulty oxygen sensors, clogged catalytic converters, or DPF issues on diesel vehicles. Typical repair costs: £100–1,000+. Pre-MOT check: If the engine management light is on, get it diagnosed before the MOT. For diesel cars, ensure the DPF has completed a regeneration cycle. Regular servicing and using premium fuel before the test can help.
Suspension — 1.2% of failures
Suspension issues account for 1.2% of MOT failures on 2012 Audi S3 models. Suspension failures typically involve worn bushes, leaking shock absorbers, broken coil springs, and damaged suspension arms. These affect ride quality, tyre wear, and road holding. Typical repair costs: £200–500. Pre-MOT check: Look for uneven tyre wear, listen for clunking over bumps, and check if the car pulls to one side. A bouncy ride suggests worn shock absorbers. Visually inspect coil springs for cracks.
Based on DVSA anonymised MOT test data (2005–2024). Crown copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0.