Audi S3 - 2003
343.2 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Audi S3, model year 2003.
Sample size: 127 cars, 271 tests and 930 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 127 cars
The 2003 Audi S3 has a lower overall defect rate compared to the average car of the same year, with 343 defects per 100 vehicles versus 378. This model particularly excels in visibility, with a significantly lower defect rate than the average, and performs better in the wheels, suspensions, and axles category. However, it shows a higher incidence of steering defects compared to the average. As mileage increases, defect rates for the S3 vary, with notably higher issues reported in the 0–31,000 miles and 124,000+ miles categories. Overall, while the S3 has some strengths, its steering issues may need attention.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 127 cars
More model years for Audi S3
Other models from Audi
Categories
Brakes
▼ 18.1% worse
200.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 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
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
Steering
▼ 36.1% worse
34.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
- Power steering pipe, hose or wiring: excessively damaged or corroded
- Steering box: leaking oil
Visibility
▲ 62.8% better
11.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
Lights & Electrics
▲ 16.1% better
86.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
- Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
- Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 29.7% better
212.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▼ 10.9% worse
72.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
- 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
- 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
▲ 13.2% better
11.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
- ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (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
- 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
- Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
Other
▼ 7.8% worse
56.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Emissions levels exceed the manufacturer’s specified limits
- 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
- Emissions test unable to be completed
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 103
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 66
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 63
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 52
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 46
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 38
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 27
Lamp emitted colour, position or intensity not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 23
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 21
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 20
Serious faults (Top 10)
Emissions levels exceed default limits
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
FAIL
Occurrences: 12
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Parking brake efficiency: below minimum requirement
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 7