2009 · 15 years old at test · Petrol mostly

2009 Audi S3 MOT pass rate and common faults

250 MOT tests in 2024. 76.8% passed first time, compared with 58.4% for all cars the same age.

131Well above average
Passed first time76.8%
Failed or needed repairs23.2%
Typical mileage at test98,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 250 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Coil spring: fractured or broken3.6%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.4%
  3. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.0%
  4. Headlamp: not working on dipped beam1.6%
  5. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.6%
    6 marked dangerous
  6. Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.6%
  7. Headlamp aim: too high1.6%
  8. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.6%
  9. Catalyst emissions: Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits1.2%
  10. Registration plate lamp(s): inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps1.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics13.6%
  2. Suspension8.4%
  3. Emissions & leaks6.0%
  4. Tyres4.8%
  5. Brakes4.8%
  6. Body & chassis3.6%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)0.8%
  8. Steering0.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm15.6%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine7.6%
  3. Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases7.2%
  4. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened5.6%
  5. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick5.2%

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: 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.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2009 Audi S3?

In 2024, 76.8% of 2009 Audi S3 cars passed their MOT first time, across 250 tests. The average for all 15-year-old cars was 58.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2009 Audi S3?

The most common failure reasons were coil spring: fractured or broken; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2009 Audi S3 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 131, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).