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Audi S3 - 2002

247.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2002 is 375.3 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Audi S3, model year 2002. Sample size: 203 cars, 409 tests and 1,011 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year

Quick summary

Total: 203 cars

The 2002 Audi S3 demonstrates a significantly lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 247 defects per 100 vehicles, which is 34% better than the yearly average of 374 defects. Notably, the model excels in categories such as brakes, steering, visibility, and lights and electrics, all showing a marked improvement over average defect rates. While the S3 shows increasing defects with mileage, it still maintains a competitive performance across most categories. Overall, this model stands out positively, making it a reliable choice within its age group.

Cars by mileage segment

Total: 203 cars

Categories

Brakes
▲ 37.4% better
104.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 167.0 / 100 tests
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
  • Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
  • Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
  • Flexible brake hose: excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched
Steering
▲ 34.4% better
16.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.3 / 100 tests
  • A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
  • Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
  • Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
  • Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Visibility
▲ 33.8% better
19.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.6 / 100 tests
  • Wiper blade: defective
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
  • Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
  • Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 38.3% better
59.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 96.0 / 100 tests
  • Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
  • The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
  • Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
  • A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
  • Beam image obviously incorrect
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 41.0% better
174.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 295.2 / 100 tests
  • Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
  • A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
  • A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
  • A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
  • A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
Body/Structure
▲ 20.9% better
54.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 68.9 / 100 tests
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
  • A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
  • Body, cab or chassis: excessively corroded at mounting points
  • Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
  • Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 34.2% better
9.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 14.9 / 100 tests
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
  • is significantly reduced or The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a ’prescribed area’): inadequately repaired
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
  • An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
Other
▼ 3.9% worse
55.7 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 53.6 / 100 tests
  • Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
  • Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
  • Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
  • Emissions levels exceed default limits
  • Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits

Fault rate by mileage segment

Model    Year average
0 537 0–31,000 mi 31,000–62,000 62,000–93,000 93,000–124,000 124,000+
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.

Most common faults (Top 10)

A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 106
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 86
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 62
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 56
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 52
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 39
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 38
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 37
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 29
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 24

Serious faults (Top 10)

Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 24
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 11
Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 8