2001 · 23 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2001 Audi S3 MOT pass rate and common faults

100 MOT tests in 2024. 65.0% passed first time, compared with 59.4% for all cars the same age.

109Well above average
Passed first time65.0%
Failed or needed repairs35.0%
Typical mileage at test131,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 100 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken7.0%
  2. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits6.0%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play5.0%
  4. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits5.0%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.0%
  6. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively4.0%
  7. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt4.0%
  8. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn3.0%
  9. Electronic stability control: warning lamp indicates a fault3.0%
  10. Rigid brake pipes: leaking on a hydraulic braking system3.0%
    3 marked dangerous

Problem areas

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

  1. Emissions & leaks25.0%
  2. Brakes24.0%
  3. Lights & electrics19.0%
  4. Suspension16.0%
  5. Body & chassis10.0%
  6. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.0%
  7. Tyres6.0%
  8. Steering5.0%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded21.0%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm17.0%
  3. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine16.0%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened8.0%
  5. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn7.0%

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: coil spring: fractured or broken. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

All S3 years2002 S3 →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Audi S3?

In 2024, 65.0% of 2001 Audi S3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 100 tests. The average for all 23-year-old cars was 59.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2001 Audi S3?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was emissions & leaks.

Is the 2001 Audi S3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 109, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).