Executive car · 1996–2021 cars

Audi A4 reliability

The Audi A4 fails 26.5% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 882,505 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 69/100#27 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Audi A4 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 26.5%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 21% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 882,505; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,400; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Audi A4 is a solid choice for a used buyer. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 26.5%, compared with 28.4% for all cars, and it has 21% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 27 of 40 executive car models, so the individual car matters a lot. The 2012 model year is the best, with 28% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2002 is the weakest at 9%.

Before you buy, check the four most common MOT failures. Look for a cracked or broken coil spring (2.87% of tests) and tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.81%). Inspect the CV joint boots for splits or insecure fittings (2.17%), and check the headlamp beam pattern is correct (1.65%). Ask to see the MOT history, too.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi A4 ages

Each point is the share of Audi A4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi A4All cars

Audi A4 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi A4	All cars
3	11.2%	12.3%
4	12.2%	14.1%
5	14.8%	16.4%
6	17.2%	19.1%
7	19.7%	22.1%
8	22%	25.5%
9	23.9%	28.8%
10	25.3%	31.8%
11	27.1%	34.6%
12	29.1%	37.3%
13	31.7%	39.5%
14	34.4%	41.1%
15	35.5%	42.3%
16	36.8%	42.9%
17	37.5%	43.4%
18	39.2%	43.5%
19	39.9%	43.4%
20	40.2%	42.8%
21	41.1%	41.4%
22	40.7%	40.6%
23	37.2%	38.9%
24	35.3%	37.1%
25	34.8%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Audi A4 years

2012 cars come out best and 2002 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi A4 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 A4	3,449	10.3%	23% fewer fails	32,382
2020 A4	17,589	10.3%	26% fewer fails	35,476
2019 A4	39,263	12.1%	19% fewer fails	39,363
2018 A4	50,061	13.3%	20% fewer fails	45,335
2017 A4	74,462	15.4%	22% fewer fails	57,484
2016 A4	74,697	18.6%	19% fewer fails	68,505
2015 A4	55,091	21.4%	20% fewer fails	79,451
2014 A4	57,193	23.3%	23% fewer fails	90,321
2013 A4	55,010	24.3%	27% fewer fails	98,753
2012 A4	45,965	26.2%	28% fewer fails	110,282
2011 A4	47,143	28.3%	28% fewer fails	119,852
2010 A4	45,248	30.6%	26% fewer fails	126,600
2009 A4	46,360	32.1%	25% fewer fails	130,257
2008 A4	58,190	35.4%	19% fewer fails	131,825
2007 A4	59,605	36.2%	19% fewer fails	132,261
2006 A4	52,280	37.4%	17% fewer fails	132,866
2005 A4	32,535	38.8%	15% fewer fails	137,080
2004 A4	28,128	40.6%	11% fewer fails	142,061
2003 A4	17,077	41.1%	9% fewer fails	143,199
2002 A4	9,074	41.1%	9% fewer fails	151,445
2001 A4	4,042	40%	9% fewer fails	145,395
2000 A4	3,729	38.7%	9% fewer fails	143,342
1999 A4	3,391	37.1%	11% fewer fails	153,400
1998 A4	2,222	34.2%	15% fewer fails	150,181
1997	555	41.4%	5% more fails	145,120

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi A4

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics9%38% below avg
Suspension8.7%26% below avg
Tyres7.4%3% above avg
Brakes5.5%38% below avg
Body, chassis and structure3.9%20% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.3%21% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.1%42% below avg
Steering1.3%52% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.2%24% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.87% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.81% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
CV joint boot split or insecure 2.17% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 1.65% of tests
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
5
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.53% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
6
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.4% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
7
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.38% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.23% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi A4's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit15.78%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear9.96%
Brake pads wearing thin7.09%
Brake disc pitted or scored6.77%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.52%
Shock absorber light oil misting4.36%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi A4

1
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
CV joint boot split or insecure
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
4
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi A4 covers about 10,400 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel67.1%
Petrol32.9%
LPG0%
Electric0%
Hybrid0%
Other0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, Blue, Silver, White

Average engine size: 2.0 litres.

Compare

How the Audi A4 compares with its rivals

Audi A4 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Audi A6	20.1%	36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 5 Series	20.4%	35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A5	19.7%	30% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz E-Class	21%	27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 3 Series	24.3%	26% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A4	26.5%	21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz C-Class	24%	18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every executive car ranked in the executive car reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi A4 questions, answered

Is the Audi A4 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi A4 is better than average: it fails 26.5% of first MOT tests, 21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 27 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi A4 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A4 are coil spring fractured or broken (2.87% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.81% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (2.17% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 9% of its tests.

Which Audi A4 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2002 cars do worst (9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi A4 do a year?

A typical Audi A4 covers about 10,400 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi A4 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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