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Audi S3 8P (2006-2012) reliability

Not enough data

Audi S3 8P built around 2012: not enough MOT data yet

We've only seen a handful of Audi S3 8P models built around 2012 so far. Too few to spot a pattern yet.

Looking at an Audi S3 8P?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

Check a car’s number plate to see its own MOT record, or come back when there’s more MOT history.

Audi S3 8P
No reliability rating: not enough tests to rate2006-2012HatchbackPETROL

Based on 2,010 tests of S3 models registered 2006-2012.

8P fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
8319.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
30922.0%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
39219.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
40120.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
28419.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
31920.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
22221.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 13 years old.

How the S3 8P compares

At each age below, see how the S3 8P holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 116,552 tests across 16 Audi models, built around 2012 (13 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateAudi average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
8319.3%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
30922.0%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
39219.4%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
40120.9%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
28419.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
31920.4%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
22221.6%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the S3 8P.

  1. 1

    Honda Fit

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    17.1%

    Lower fail rate: 17.1%, against 22.0% for the Audi S3 8P, both built around 2012.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,522 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  2. 2

    Lexus CT

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    18.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.5%
    Dangerous
    4.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.2%

    Lower fail rate: 18.2%, against 22.0% for the Audi S3 8P, both built around 2012.

    5,401 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  3. 3

    Mini

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    23.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    95.6%

    More still registered at 10 years: 96%, against 89% for the Audi S3 8P.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate, share still registered and recalls only.

    35,820 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

  4. 4

    Mini Cooper D

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.1%

    No clear edge over the Audi S3 8P on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,478 MOT tests on cars built around 2012

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

89%of all Audi S3 cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Audi S3 name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

How S3 8P cars have aged

How S3 8P cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

0%10%20%911131517Age at MOTBuilt around 2012, 9 years old at the time of MOT: 19.6% (138 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2012, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 17.7% (130 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2012, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 17.0% (135 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2012, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 16.7% (120 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2012, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 19.1% (131 tests, 2025 data)2012Built around 2011, 10 years old at the time of MOT: 14.9% (195 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2011, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (183 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2011, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 20.3% (202 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2011, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.6% (208 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2011, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 16.9% (189 tests, 2025 data)2011Built around 2010, 11 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (276 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2010, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 24.0% (271 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2010, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 19.7% (249 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2010, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (240 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2010, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 17.3% (214 tests, 2025 data)2010Built around 2009, 12 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (184 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2009, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (154 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2009, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 21.4% (159 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2009, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 19.7% (147 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2009, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 18.1% (138 tests, 2025 data)2009Built around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 22.8% (237 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 18.9% (227 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 21.6% (208 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 16.8% (184 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 20.8% (178 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 23.5% (293 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 22.3% (274 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 21.0% (233 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 22.9% (231 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 21.3% (207 tests, 2025 data)2007
First registered around 2012First registered around 2011First registered around 2010First registered around 2009
8P variants compared
All generations of this modelNot enough data

Most common issues on Audi S3 models of this age

This list covers every Audi S3 built around 2012, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the 8P on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    18.1%
    Advisory: 83Fail: 7 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension part corroded, but not seriously weakened

    12.3%
    Advisory: 57Fail: 2 (3% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    8.7%
    Advisory: 27Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    8.4%
    Advisory: 28Fail: 2 (7% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    8.1%
    Advisory: 26Fail: 11 (30% of the times it was found)

Based on 309 tests

Looking at an Audi S3 8P?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2012 (13 years old), the Audi S3 8P (2006-2012) fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 309 13-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 2,010 MOT tests on Audi S3 models first registered between 2006-2012. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.