Audi RS3 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi RS3 car check
Is the Audi RS3 reliable? We analysed 1,515 real MOT tests across 212 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi RS3? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi RS3 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi RS3.
Audi RS3 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi RS3. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi RS3 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi RS3 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi RS3 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Audi RS3 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Audi RS3 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi RS3 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi RS3 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi RS3 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 105 | 95.2% | 25,601 | 37,011 | 52,439 |
| 2017 | 84 | 90.5% | 19,239 | 25,766 | 49,983 |
| 2016 | 357 | 86.0% | 35,006 | 48,704 | 59,624 |
| 2015 | 161 | 87.6% | 28,355 | 40,613 | 55,006 |
| 2013 | 53 | 88.7% | 31,517 | 37,533 | 49,981 |
| 2012 | 455 | 88.4% | 31,266 | 51,019 | 68,875 |
| 2011 | 230 | 87.0% | 38,729 | 55,069 | 76,447 |
How Long Does a Audi RS3 Last?
Based on 212 Audi RS3 vehicles on UK roads.
Audi RS3 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi RS3 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Audi RS3
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.2% MOT pass rate from 105 tests
86.0% MOT pass rate from 357 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi RS3 is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.2% across 105 tests. The 2016 model year has the lowest pass rate at 86.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi RS3 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi RS3 THIS CAR | 88.5% | 1,515 | 45,428 mi | 15 yrs |
| Audi A3 | 78% | 7,415,025 | 78,776 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi A4 | 76.1% | 7,096,957 | 96,834 mi | 31 yrs |
| Audi A6 | 78.4% | 2,724,792 | 98,890 mi | 31 yrs |
| Lotus Eclat Excel | 77.8% | 1,344 | 54,264 mi | 42 yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi RS3 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi RS3 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Audi RS3Should you buy a used Audi RS3?
The Audi RS3 has an overall MOT pass rate of 88.5% across 1,515 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Audi RS3 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Audi RS3 owner drives around 5,171 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Audi RS3 models stay on UK roads for around 15 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.