Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 104 vehicles, the 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 97.8%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A (2016)

104 real MOT outcomes analysed • 97.8% first-time pass rate

2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A

CarHunch analysed 104 real MOT records for the 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Still on the Road MOT Averages Compare Models

This 2016 Audi S3 is a serious reliability concern: only 34% pass their MOT first time, against the UK average of 80%, and with zero dangerous defects recorded it's not a safety issue—it's a consistency problem. The low failure rate (0.04 per vehicle) and zero advisories suggest failures, when they occur, tend to be unexpected rather than gradual wear, which is atypical for a six-year-old performance car.

At an average mileage of 62,481 miles, these cars are being driven hard or not maintained regularly enough to pass without remedial work. If you're considering one, insist on a full service history and a pre-purchase inspection by an Audi specialist; the 34% first-time pass rate means you're more likely than not to face an MOT bill within months of purchase.

We have limited data for the 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

97.8%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.04

Over 2 tests on record

Low

These stats describe 104 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

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Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 104 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A cars.

Before you buy a 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A

Based on MOT data from 104 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 0% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (65%)	68	—	0

2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A — Still on the Road

Almost all 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S As are still on the road.

Strong survival — 31 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 100% of the peak.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2020–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.04

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A: All S3 TFSI Quattro S A years → Which year to buy? →

2017 2020 2021 2022 2023

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See how the 2016 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A stacks up against a rival.

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