2015 Audi S3 — MOT failures & pass rate
806 MOT tests on the 2015 Audi S3 are in this dataset, and 91.6% of them passed. That is 7.5 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 16.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.7%) and suspension (2.2%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plates and coil spring — tread depth alone was recorded 19 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 4.8% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 17.6% once past 90-120k — 3.7× the risk.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 5.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 7.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.7% | 30 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.2% | 18 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.1% | 17 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.9% | 15 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.9% | 7 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 5 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 19 |
| 2 | Registration plates | 13 |
| 3 | Coil spring | 12 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 5 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 6 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 7 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 17.0% | 137 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.9% | 120 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.5% | 44 |
| 4 | Other defects | 4.0% | 32 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.6% | 21 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.1% | 17 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 42 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 414 | 7.5% |
| 60-90k | 289 | 8.6% |
| 90-120k | 51 | 17.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 126 | 5.6% |
| 2022 | 146 | 10.3% |
| 2023 | 159 | 9.4% |
| 2024 | 183 | 8.7% |
| 2025 | 192 | 7.8% |
What to check before buying a 2015 S3
On a 2015 S3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 3.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (3.7% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
- Suspension (2.2% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2015 Audi S3s pass their MOT?
91.6% of the 806 2015 Audi S3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2015 Audi S3?
Tyres, recorded in 3.7% of tests, followed by suspension (2.2%).
Does the 2015 S3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 17.6% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 806 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.