Car statistics
Audi S3 statistics
How many Audi S3s are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 7,293 DVSA MOT tests.
- Licensed in Great Britain 35,973 +1.9% on a year earlier
- Declared SORN 3,329 Off the road, not taxed
- MOT first-time pass rate, 2025 85.2% Cars of the same ages 76.8%
- Rank by number licensed No. 184 of 1,159 models we cover
- Licensed count At its peak highest since 1999
- Average annual mileage 6,629 miles a year
How many Audi S3s are left in Great Britain?
There were 35,973 Audi S3s licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 3,329 declared off the road (SORN). That is the most on the road at any year end since 1999.
Audi S3s licensed in Great Britain
Numbers are still rising: the latest count is the highest in this series.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 519 |
| 2000 | 1,453 |
| 2001 | 2,786 |
| 2002 | 4,079 |
| 2003 | 4,633 |
| 2004 | 4,676 |
| 2005 | 4,569 |
| 2006 | 4,615 |
| 2007 | 6,123 |
| 2008 | 7,176 |
| 2009 | 8,225 |
| 2010 | 9,429 |
| 2011 | 10,255 |
| 2012 | 10,788 |
| 2013 | 11,027 |
| 2014 | 13,593 |
| 2015 | 17,020 |
| 2016 | 21,036 |
| 2017 | 25,428 |
| 2018 | 27,783 |
| 2019 | 29,625 |
| 2020 | 30,277 |
| 2021 | 31,063 |
| 2022 | 32,111 |
| 2023 | 33,949 |
| 2024 | 35,085 |
| 2025 | 35,818 |
| 2026 | 35,973 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Fuel type
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Audi S3 MOT reliability
In 2025, 85.2% of Audi S3 MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Audi S3s tested pass 76.8% of the time, so the Audi S3 does better than average for its age, by 8.4 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 83.3%.
MOT first-time pass rate by age: Audi S3 vs all cars
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Audi S3 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 90.6% | 89.5% |
| 4–5 years | 90.0% | 87.6% |
| 11–14 years | 82.3% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 75.0% | 58.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Audi S3 MOT failures
Tyres is the most common reason a Audi S3 fails its MOT, appearing on 37.0% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 5.0% of Audi S3 tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
Most common MOT failure categories
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 37.0% |
| Suspension | 23.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 21.3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 18.2% |
| Brakes | 17.0% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.8% |
| Visibility | 10.4% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common Audi S3 MOT defects and advisories
The single most common reason a Audi S3 failed its MOT in 2025 was “Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm”, on 10.8% of 1,082 failed tests. 35.6% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Most common reasons for failure
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 10.8% |
| Tyres: cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 10.3% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 9.5% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 7.9% |
| Linkage ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Suspension | 6.5% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.3% |
| Catalyst emissions: lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits Noise, emissions and leaks | 5.5% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 5.3% |
| Tyres: bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure Tyres | 4.9% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 4.7% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Most common advisories
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 14.5% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 5.1% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 5.0% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.7% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 2.6% |
| Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 2.5% |
| Brake discs: worn, but not excessively Brakes | 2.3% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 2.2% |
| Tyres: cut but not deep enough to reach the ply or cords Tyres | 2.1% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 1.9% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Audi S3 by year
4 years of the Audi S3, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2014 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (85.2% passed first time) and the 2022 cars worst (90.0%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 3,097 | 2,675 | 85.2% |
| 2020 | 1,409 | 1,338 | 89.0% |
| 2021 | 1,529 | 1,468 | 90.9% |
| 2022 | 1,606 | 1,555 | 90.0% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered. Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
Audi S3 annual mileage
The average Audi S3 covers 6,629 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
Average annual mileage by age
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 7,839 |
| 8–10 years | 6,876 |
| 11–14 years | 6,180 |
| 15–19 years | 5,686 |
| 20+ years | 3,120 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Audi S3 registrations over time
Registrations of Audi S3s for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 5,511 in 2017. In 2025, 1,553 were registered.
Registered for the first time, by year
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 1,379 |
| ’02 | 1,351 |
| ’03 | 678 |
| ’04 | 11 |
| ’05 | 2 |
| ’06 | 133 |
| ’07 | 1,661 |
| ’08 | 1,282 |
| ’09 | 1,136 |
| ’10 | 1,449 |
| ’11 | 1,141 |
| ’12 | 773 |
| ’13 | 549 |
| ’14 | 3,183 |
| ’15 | 4,180 |
| ’16 | 4,610 |
| ’17 | 5,511 |
| ’18 | 3,243 |
| ’19 | 2,851 |
| ’20 | 1,447 |
| ’21 | 1,556 |
| ’22 | 1,644 |
| ’23 | 2,661 |
| ’24 | 2,018 |
| ’25 | 1,553 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Audi S3 engine sizes and fuel types
Of the 36,558 Audi S3s licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 97.5% have an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc, and 2.4% have an engine of 1,701cc to 1,800cc. The share with an engine of 1,901cc to 2,000cc has grown from 75.6% in 2014 to 97.5%.
Engine sizes, end of 2025
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,901cc to 2,000cc 35,651 licensed | 97.5% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 881 licensed | 2.4% |
| Other sizes 26 licensed | 0.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,901–2,000cc | Petrol | 35,651 | 97.5% |
| 1,701–1,800cc | Petrol | 881 | 2.4% |
Engine sizes, 2014 to 2025
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,901–2,000cc | 1,701–1,800cc |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 75.6% | 24.2% |
| 2015 | 82.2% | 17.6% |
| 2016 | 87.0% | 12.9% |
| 2017 | 90.4% | 9.5% |
| 2018 | 92.5% | 7.5% |
| 2019 | 93.8% | 6.2% |
| 2020 | 94.7% | 5.2% |
| 2021 | 95.5% | 4.4% |
| 2022 | 96.1% | 3.8% |
| 2023 | 96.7% | 3.2% |
| 2024 | 97.2% | 2.7% |
| 2025 | 97.5% | 2.4% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
Audi S3 fuel economy and CO2
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Audi S3 from 2001, and still lists it. On the WLTP test (listings 2025 to 2026), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 33.2 to 35.3 mpg, with CO2 of 183 to 193 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2001 to 2010), official combined fuel economy for its petrol versions ranges from 30.1 to 31.0 mpg, with CO2 of 217 to 226 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 petrol | 33.2–35.3 | 183–193 | 2025–2026 | Euro 6 | 2 |
Older NEDC figures, listed 2001 to 2010 (2 engine and fuel groups)
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 petrol | 30.1–30.4 | 223–226 | 2001–2003 | Euro 3 | 3 |
| 2.0 petrol | 31.0 | 217 | 2007–2010 | Euro 4 | 2 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
- Official figures from laboratory type-approval tests. VCA says they may not be achieved in real-world driving, and should not be used to rank cars with similar figures.
- NEDC figures (in VCA’s data until September 2018) and WLTP figures (from the 2019 guide) come from different tests, so they are shown separately and should not be compared.
- VCA’s data has no Audi versions for 2019 to 2024, so the years listed may leave out years the Audi S3 was on sale.
- Engine sizes are rounded to the nearest 0.1 litre. A version is one line in VCA’s data (description, gearbox, engine and fuel), counted once however many years it was listed. Matched from VCA’s model names “S Series”, “S3 Saloon”, “S3 Sportback”, “Audi 'S' Series”. How we use VCA’s figures.
Audi S3 safety recalls
We found no recalls for the Audi S3 in DVSA’s records since 1992. That does not mean none apply: DVSA sometimes records a recall under a range or chassis name we cannot match to a model. Check a specific car on GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check.
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Audi S3. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Compare the Audi S3 with other Audi models
Data sources and methodology
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 39,302 S3 records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 7,293 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
- Figures cover Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). Northern Ireland is not included.
- Licensed counts are vehicles with a current tax or exemption at the end of each year (or the latest quarter). SORN counts are shown separately.
- First registrations count vehicles registered in Great Britain for the first time, including used imports.
- Models are grouped by DVLA’s generic model name, so every generation and trim counts together.
- MOT figures cover normal tests of cars aged three and over in 2025; retests are excluded. Age is rounded to the nearest year.
- DVSA records the model name typed in at the test. We match those names to DVLA’s generic models, so a handful of tests may be counted under a close relative.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.