Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 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 2021 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 2021 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 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A reliable?

Based on MOT data from 1,508 vehicles, the 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A has a first-time MOT pass rate of 94.6%, 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 2021 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 (2021)

1,508 real MOT outcomes analysed • 94.6% first-time pass rate

2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A

CarHunch analysed 1,508 real MOT records for the 2021 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 Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2021 Audi S3 is a dependable performer, with a first-time MOT pass rate of 92.4%—well above the UK average of 80%—and only 8.1% of vehicles ever recording a dangerous defect, which is reassuringly low for a high-performance model. This petrol-only cohort shows consistent reliability across the board, with minimal variation in the 92.3% pass rate.

At 28,978 miles average for a three-year-old car, mileage is moderate and typical for the age, suggesting these aren't being thrashed. The average 0.18 failures and 1.3 advisories per vehicle point to a mechanically sound platform with only minor wear items cropping up—so when shopping for an S3, focus your pre-purchase inspection on the service history and condition of the dual-clutch gearbox, as that's where costs tend to cluster.

The 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A passes its MOT first time more often than most UK vehicles (94.6% vs ~80% average) — and when it does fail, it's usually something minor and cheap to fix.

⚠️ About 1 in 12 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

94.6%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

8.1%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.18

Over 2.3 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

27k

Middle half: 20k–35k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 94.6% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 1,508 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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See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 1,508 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A

Based on MOT data from 1,508 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 8.1% 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 (97%)	1,465	94.5%	0.18

Colour Breakdown

Based on 4,619 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Blue 30.9%

1,426

Grey 24.8%

1,147

Black 22.2%

1,025

White 13.8%

638

Red 5.3%

245

Yellow 2.7%

124

Purple 0.2%

Green 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

27,112

typical

20,388

low mileage

35,327

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A vehicles fall between 20,388 and 35,327 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 20,388 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 20,388–35,327 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S As sit.

⚠ Over 47,691 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A — Still on the Road

Almost all 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S As are still on the road.

Strong survival — 1,429 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 2023–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.3

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.18

Avg failures per vehicle

1.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

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

2016 2017 2020 2022 2023

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See how the 2021 Audi S3 TFSI Quattro S A stacks up against a rival.

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