Audi A4 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 267,797 MOT tests on the Audi A4 carried out in 2023. 27% failed at the first attempt, which is roughly in line with the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 7 in 10 A4s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1995 to 2021. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2012 models did best (73% passed, +7.8 points against the average for 11-year-old cars), while 1997 models fared worst (60%, −4.8 points). Tested cars had covered 102,275 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was lights and electrics, found on 9.1% of tests (slightly below the 11.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "fractured or broken", on 3.6% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 267,797
- First-time pass rate
- 73%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +1.2 points
- Average mileage at test
- 102,275
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular A4?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
A4 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 357 | 91% | 91% | −0.1 points | 27,528 |
| 2020 | 8,965 | 88% | 88% | +0.3 points | 30,903 |
| 2019 | 13,740 | 87% | 86% | +0.7 points | 39,911 |
| 2018 | 13,801 | 85% | 84% | +1.1 points | 48,645 |
| 2017 | 21,481 | 83% | 82% | +1.3 points | 61,591 |
| 2016 | 22,396 | 80% | 79% | +1.2 points | 73,459 |
| 2015 | 16,641 | 77% | 75% | +1.9 points | 84,427 |
| 2014 | 17,185 | 75% | 72% | +3.6 points | 95,077 |
| 2013 | 16,378 | 74% | 68% | +6.0 points | 103,059 |
| 2012 | 13,902 | 73% | 66% | +7.8 points | 113,997 |
| 2011 | 14,305 | 71% | 63% | +7.8 points | 123,869 |
| 2010 | 13,874 | 68% | 60% | +7.5 points | 129,318 |
| 2009 | 13,999 | 66% | 59% | +6.8 points | 133,526 |
| 2008 | 17,386 | 64% | 57% | +6.3 points | 133,917 |
| 2007 | 17,653 | 63% | 57% | +5.8 points | 133,614 |
| 2006 | 15,555 | 62% | 56% | +5.8 points | 135,538 |
| 2005 | 9,718 | 61% | 56% | +4.6 points | 138,844 |
| 2004 | 8,327 | 60% | 56% | +3.6 points | 144,794 |
| 2003 | 5,038 | 60% | 57% | +3.1 points | 148,078 |
| 2002 | 2,668 | 59% | 58% | +1.5 points | 153,903 |
| 2001 | 1,190 | 61% | 59% | +2.4 points | 150,691 |
| 2000 | 1,147 | 60% | 61% | −0.7 points | 146,692 |
| 1999 | 857 | 61% | 62% | −1.8 points | 157,640 |
| 1998 | 588 | 66% | 64% | +1.9 points | 152,597 |
| 1997 | 325 | 60% | 64% | −4.8 points | 157,717 |
| 1996 | 217 | 64% | 65% | −1.2 points | 158,476 |
| 1995 | 76 | 66% | 66% | −0.7 points | 142,610 |
Why the Audi A4 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | A4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 9.1% | 11.3% |
| Suspension | 8.9% | 8.9% |
| Tyres | 7.8% | 6.3% |
| Brakes | 5.5% | 6.8% |
| Body and structure | 3.9% | 3.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.4% | 3.1% |
| Visibility | 3.2% | 4.8% |
| Steering | 1.3% | 1.8% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 1.2% | 1.0% |
| Road Wheels | 0.5% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1fractured or broken3.6%
- 2tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm3.4%
- 3not working2.9%
- 4constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt2.5%
- 5pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
- 6inoperative or indicates a malfunction2.2%
- 7projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.9%
- 8has ply or cords exposed1.7%
- 9less than 1.5 mm thick1.6%
- 10has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.5%
Common A4 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used A4, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 18.4% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 12.7% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 8.5% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 8.1% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 5.2% |
| has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 5.0% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.5% |
| corroded and seriously weakened | Suspension | 3.0% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 3.0% |
| inscription illegible | Number plates and VIN | 2.8% |
Tips to help your A4 pass
Based on where A4s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 9.1% of A4 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 5.5% of A4 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Compare with other models
Is the A4 ULEZ compliant? See the Audi A4 ULEZ check, or view all Audi models.
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 267,797 first MOT tests of the Audi A4 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 267,797 first MOT tests of the Audi A4.
What is the Audi A4 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 27% of 267,797 first MOT attempts on the Audi A4 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Audi A4 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were lights and electrics (9.1% of tests), suspension (8.9% of tests), tyres (7.8% of tests).
Which A4 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2012 cars performed best: 73% passed first time, +7.8 points against the average for 11-year-old cars. The weakest was 1997, at 60% (−4.8 points).
How many miles had a typical Audi A4 covered at its MOT?
The average was 102,275 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2021 cars averaged 27,528 miles and 1995 cars 142,610.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Audi A4?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 18.4% of tests, in the tyres area. 7.8% of A4s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific A4's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 267,797 A4s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 59% to 91% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
Check any A4's MOT history
Every test, failure, advisory and recorded mileage for a specific car. Free, from official DVSA data.