2022 Audi S3 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,840 MOT tests, the 2022 Audi S3 recorded a 92.0% pass rate. Small family cars of a similar age fail at 7.9%, so the 2022 S3 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.2% of all tests — 5.2 points clear of visibility, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and registration plates — tread depth alone was recorded 43 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 17.4% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 114 |
| 2 | Visibility | 1.0% | 19 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 0.9% | 17 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.6% | 11 |
| 5 | Other defects | 0.5% | 10 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.2% | 4 |
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 | 43 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 15 |
| 4 | Washers | 13 |
| 5 | Catalyst emissions | 8 |
| 6 | Wipers | 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 | 17.4% | 320 |
| 2 | Brakes | 5.8% | 107 |
| 3 | Other defects | 3.0% | 56 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.6% | 48 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 16 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.4% | 7 |
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 | 1,439 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 383 | 9.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 79 | 3.8% |
| 2025 | 1,760 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 2022 S3
On a 2022 S3, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.2% 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.
- Visibility (1.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (0.9% 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 2022 Audi S3s pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 1,840 2022 Audi S3 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2022 Audi S3?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by visibility (1.0%).
Does the 2022 S3 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 9.1% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,840 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.