Audi S3 - 2009
178.8 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2009 is 311.0 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Audi S3, model year 2009.
Sample size: 331 cars, 745 tests and 1,332 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: 331 cars
The 2009 Audi S3 has a significantly lower overall defect rate, standing at 179 defects per 100 vehicles compared to the average of 310, which is a 42% improvement. Notably, the model performs exceptionally well in categories such as brakes, steering, and visibility, with defect rates markedly lower than average. While the S3 shows increased defect rates in higher mileage brackets, particularly above 93,000 miles, it consistently outperforms the yearly average, especially in critical safety areas. Overall, this model demonstrates strong reliability compared to its peers from the same year.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 331 cars
More model years for Audi S3
Other models from Audi
Categories
Brakes
▲ 49.5% better
59.3 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 117.5 / 100 tests
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
Steering
▲ 87.1% better
2.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 16.3 / 100 tests
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: damaged or deteriorated
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
Visibility
▲ 55.1% better
10.5 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 23.4 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Wiper blade: missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
Lights & Electrics
▲ 56.5% better
35.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 80.9 / 100 tests
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in 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
- A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has only one lamp or all lamps not working
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 35.0% better
194.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 299.8 / 100 tests
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
- A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
- A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
Body/Structure
▲ 48.9% better
21.2 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 41.5 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
- Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that: the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced
Equipment
▲ 63.9% better
3.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 8.3 / 100 tests
- An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction
- A seat belt:
- A seat belt: webbing or flexible stalk significantly stretched or weakened
- Seat belt buckle missing, damaged or not functioning as intended
- Seat belt not functioning as intended or of an incorrect type
Other
▲ 8.7% better
31.4 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 34.4 / 100 tests
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Exhaust noise levels in excess of those permitted
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 194
A suspension component: excessively damaged or corroded
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 113
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 73
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 69
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 60
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 57
A shock absorber damaged … or showing signs of severe leakage
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 51
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 45
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
MINOR
Occurrences: 44
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 44
Serious faults (Top 10)
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 19
A suspension joint dust cover: missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc.
FAIL
Occurrences: 18
A spring: or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
FAIL
Occurrences: 17
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 14
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
A headlamp: missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED
FAIL
Occurrences: 13
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 8
Significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake
FAIL
Occurrences: 8