2016 Audi S3 — MOT failures & pass rate
424 MOT tests on the 2016 Audi S3 are in this dataset, and 89.9% of them passed. That is 3.9 percentage points better than small family cars of a similar age, which fail at 14.0%. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.5%) and brakes (2.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, catalyst emissions and tread depth — brake pads alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2016 S3 fails 8.5% of the time in the 0-30k band and 7.8% at 60-90k, a spread of only 0.7 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 14.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 8.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.1% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.5% | 15 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.1% | 9 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.7% | 7 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.4% | 6 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 5 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.7% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 11 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 6 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 5 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 3 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 3 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 2 |
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 | 14.9% | 63 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.1% | 60 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.8% | 16 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.3% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.1% | 9 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.9% | 4 |
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 | 59 | 8.5% |
| 30-60k | 207 | 11.1% |
| 60-90k | 128 | 7.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 72 | 8.3% |
| 2022 | 72 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 80 | 7.5% |
| 2024 | 101 | 12.9% |
| 2025 | 99 | 13.1% |
What to check before buying a 2016 S3
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.5% 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.
- Brakes (2.1% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (1.7% 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.
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 2016 Audi S3s pass their MOT?
89.9% of the 424 2016 Audi S3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Audi S3?
Tyres, recorded in 3.5% of tests, followed by brakes (2.1%).
Does the 2016 S3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.5% in the 0-30k band to 7.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 424 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.