Audi A4: what fails at MOT
351,000 MOT tests on the Audi A4 in 2024, counted. 23.8% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.8% of Audi A4 tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 28.6%, so the A4 does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on suspension (5.3% of tests), lights and electrics (4.9% of tests) and tyres (4.7% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,918 | 10.3% | 10.9% | 30,600 22,900 to 41,200 |
| 2020 | 15,388 | 9.9% | 11.5% | 36,200 26,800 to 48,200 |
| 2019 | 21,592 | 11.3% | 13.4% | 43,500 33,100 to 57,300 |
| 2018 | 21,967 | 13.7% | 15.6% | 52,500 40,300 to 66,900 |
| 2017 | 31,285 | 15.8% | 18.2% | 64,700 50,400 to 82,700 |
| 2016 | 29,575 | 18.9% | 21.3% | 76,500 59,300 to 97,500 |
| 2015 | 21,491 | 21.2% | 24.4% | 86,400 66,700 to 109,100 |
| 2014 | 22,623 | 22.9% | 27.7% | 96,500 74,000 to 123,000 |
| 2013 | 21,952 | 23.9% | 30.6% | 104,500 81,600 to 130,200 |
| 2012 | 17,832 | 26.2% | 33.4% | 116,300 91,100 to 142,900 |
| 2011 | 18,115 | 27.7% | 36.1% | 125,100 98,900 to 153,800 |
| 2010 | 17,197 | 29.6% | 38.6% | 131,900 105,400 to 159,300 |
| 2009 | 17,570 | 30.8% | 39.8% | 133,700 106,700 to 162,400 |
| 2008 | 21,788 | 34.2% | 41.5% | 135,300 107,000 to 163,900 |
| 2007 | 22,094 | 34.6% | 41.5% | 135,100 106,000 to 164,100 |
| 2006 | 18,817 | 36.7% | 42.4% | 134,500 107,500 to 164,300 |
| 2005 | 10,623 | 37.4% | 42.2% | 138,700 108,200 to 170,000 |
| 2004 | 9,344 | 40.0% | 42.3% | 143,500 109,500 to 180,700 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Audi A4 tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | A4 | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 5.3% | 6.6% |
| Lights and electrics Less than most | 4.9% | 8.1% |
| Tyres | 4.7% | 4.3% |
| Brakes Less than most | 3.0% | 4.9% |
| Body and structure | 2.4% | 2.6% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.0% | 2.3% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen Less than most | 1.9% | 3.2% |
| Steering | 0.8% | 1.4% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre3.0%
- Headlamp aim2.5%
- Coil spring2.1%
- Tyre tread2.1%
- Driveshaft joint1.7%
- Engine warning light1.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes1.2%
- Brake pads1.1%
- Washers0.9%
- Wipers0.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm2.0%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt1.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn1.2%
- Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect1.1%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed1.0%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.9%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.9%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement7.9%
- Brake pads: wearing thin5.0%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.8%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.3%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil3.0%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.5%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened2.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Audi A4's own MOT record
Looking at a A4? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.