Does the Audi S3 fail the MOT on seat belts and airbags more than it should?
The Audi S3 records 0.74 seat belts and airbags failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 1.43 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−0.69, 95% interval −0.84 to −0.55). It ranks 485 of 627 models on seat belts and airbags (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on seat belts and airbags · check a Audi S3 by registration
What exactly fails on seat belts and airbags?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Audi S3 is “An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction”, recorded 100 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction | 100 | 0.41 |
| The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any seat belt anchorage (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired | 32 | 0.13 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 24,624 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Audi S3 2009 · Audi S3 2010 · Audi S3 2011 · Audi S3 2012 · 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 steering failures · Audi S3 suspension failures · Audi S3 tyres failures · Audi S3 visibility failures