2002 Audi S3 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2002 Audi S3 passed 79.4% of its 1,086 recorded MOT tests. That is 7.4 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 28.0%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 12.3% of all tests — 3.9 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and joints — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 130 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 22.7% versus 9.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 23.1% in 2021 to 16.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.3% | 134 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.5% | 92 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 7.8% | 85 |
| 4 | Brakes | 6.7% | 73 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.2% | 56 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.8% | 41 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 130 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 84 |
| 3 | Joints | 46 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 41 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 38 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 36 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 25.3% | 275 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.8% | 258 |
| 3 | Tyres | 16.9% | 183 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.7% | 181 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.6% | 169 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 143 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 44 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 119 | 16.0% |
| 90-120k | 287 | 18.8% |
| 120-150k | 370 | 23.5% |
| 150k+ | 260 | 22.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 251 | 23.1% |
| 2022 | 248 | 21.0% |
| 2023 | 215 | 21.4% |
| 2024 | 193 | 19.7% |
| 2025 | 179 | 16.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 S3
On a 2002 S3, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.5% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (7.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Audi S3s pass their MOT?
79.4% of the 1,086 2002 Audi S3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 20.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Audi S3?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.3% of tests, followed by suspension (8.5%).
Does the 2002 S3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.1% in the 30-60k band to 22.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,086 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.