Audi S3 2012: MOT failure rate for its age
19.1% of 878 MOT tests of the Audi S3 first registered in 2012 failed at the first attempt (2019–2024; retests excluded). Against this model's own normal rate at the same ages the index is 115.6 (95% CI 98.1–133.1; 100 = normal for this model at that age): the 2012 build year is no different from other years of the same model at the same age. This is a rough estimate from a smaller sample.
| Measure | Value | Unit | Compared with | Years | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failed first time | 19.1 | % | all ages tested | 2019–2024 | 878 |
| Index against this model at the same age (95% CI 98.1–133.1) | 115.6 | index | 100 = normal for this model at that age | 2019–2024 | 878 |
| Rank among this model's 9 build years | 7 | of 9 | 1 = fails least for its age | 2019–2024 | 878 |
| Tested in 2024 | 167 | tests | median 86,814 miles | 2024 | 167 |
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · full dataset (v5).
How does the 2012 Audi S3 fail at each age?
Cars built in 2012 were tested at ages 7 to 12 between 2019 and 2024. Each row compares their first-time failure share with what this model normally shows at that age, after allowing for the overall failure level of each test year.
| Age | Tests | Failed, % | 95% interval | Normal for this model at that age, % | Index (100 = normal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 185 (rough estimate) | 14.1 | 9.8–19.8 | 12.6 | 111.4 |
| 8 | 175 (rough estimate) | 17.1 | 12.3–23.4 | 12.2 | 141.1 |
| 9 | 176 (rough estimate) | 22.7 | 17.2–29.5 | 14.4 | 157.5 |
| 10 | 175 (rough estimate) | 18.9 | 13.8–25.3 | 15.3 | 123.5 |
| 11 | 177 (rough estimate) | 19.2 | 14.1–25.6 | not available | not available |
| 12 | 167 (rough estimate) | 23.4 | 17.6–30.3 | 29.1 | 80.3 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,055 (initial tests) · Method: normal rate = this model's first-time failure share at that age across its build years (cells of 400+ tests), adjusted for each test year's overall level; cells of 30+ tests, under 500 marked rough · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
What fails most on the 2012 Audi S3?
The most common failure group on cars built in 2012 is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: 9.5 items per 100 first tests, against 12.5 across all build years of the Audi S3. These counts are not age-adjusted: cars built in 2012 were tested at ages 7 to 12.
| Failure group | Built 2012, per 100 | All build years, per 100 | Items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.5 | 12.5 | 100 |
| Suspension | 7.5 | 10.8 | 79 |
| Visibility | 6.2 | 5.8 | 65 |
| Tyres | 5.4 | 7.5 | 57 |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.9 | 6.4 | 52 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 1,055 (initial tests of this build year) · Method: failure items grouped by DVSA's top-level defect groups, per 100 initial tests; groups with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
How does 2012 compare with the years around it?
Among the 9 published build years of the Audi S3, 2012 ranks 7 (1 = fails least for its age). 2011: index 116.9. 2013: index 106.5.
| Build year | Index (100 = normal) | 95% interval | Verdict | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 112.0 | 93.8–130.2 | no different (rough estimate) | 555 |
| 2010 | 131.3 | 116.2–146.4 | worse (rough estimate) | 1,099 |
| 2011 | 116.9 | 102.3–131.6 | worse (rough estimate) | 1,151 |
| 2012 | 115.6 | 98.1–133.1 | no different (rough estimate) | 878 |
| 2013 | 106.5 | 89.5–123.5 | no different (rough estimate) | 1,118 |
| 2014 | 100.5 | 91.8–109.3 | no different | 4,131 |
| 2015 | 94.8 | 74.1–115.4 | no different (rough estimate) | 756 |
| 2016 | 101.0 | 68.9–133.2 | no different (rough estimate) | 368 |
| 2020 | 100.5 | 80.7–120.2 | no different (rough estimate) | 1,211 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 11,267 (initial tests) · Method: observed failures against those expected for the same model at the same ages, test-year level adjusted; verdict follows the printed one-decimal bound · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
How to cite this page
MOT Risk Index (2026). Audi S3 2012 MOT statistics (data release dvsa-2024-v2; full dataset motriskindex-families-2024-v5, DOI 10.5281/zenodo.22975051), updated 30 September 2026. motriskindex.co.uk/cars/audi-s3/2012/
How every figure is calculated: methodology. Age, test year and build year are tied together (age = test year − build year), so the test-year level is taken as observed, not estimated.
Other pages for this model
Audi S3 2009 · Audi S3 2010 · Audi S3 2011 · Audi S3 2013 · Audi S3 2014 · Audi S3 2015 · Audi S3 2016 · Audi S3 2020 · Audi S3 in the Netherlands · Audi S3 by postcode area · Audi S3 body, chassis and structure failures · Audi S3 brakes failures · Audi S3 vehicle identification failures · Audi S3 lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Audi S3 noise, emissions and leaks failures · Audi S3 road wheels failures · Audi S3 seat belts and airbags failures · Audi S3 steering failures · Audi S3 suspension failures · Audi S3 tyres failures · Audi S3 visibility failures