2004 Audi A4 · 28,128 MOT tests
2004 Audi A4 reliability
2004 Audi A4s fail 40.6% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 24 A4 years (28,128 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A4s: 26.5%)
- 40.6%
- first-time fail rate (all Audi A4s: 26.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 11% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 142,061
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 28,128
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: 9% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does better)
- 2005 cars: 15% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: seat belts and airbags, 4.2% of tests fail here (15% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: steering, 44% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Audi A4
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics20%
- Suspension15.6%
- Brakes13.7%
- Tyres8%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks7.4%
- Body, chassis and structure6.9%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors4.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 3.79%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Stop lamp not working 3.63%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
CV joint boot split or insecure 3.43%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
ABS warning lamp shows a fault 3.41%
A lit ABS warning means the anti-lock system may not work, so wheels could lock during emergency braking.
Position lamp not working 3.35%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 3.11%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (17.85%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (17.03%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (15.96%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.56%) · Sub-frame showing corrosion (6.35%) · Flexible brake hose slightly deteriorated (6.24%)
Other years
Every Audi A4 year
The full picture: Audi A4 reliability. Before you pay for any Audi A4, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2004 Audi A4 reliable?
2004 Audi A4s fail 40.6% of first MOT tests, 11% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 20 of 24 A4 years (28,128 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Audi A4 MOT?
Most often suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (3.79% of tests), stop lamp not working (3.63% of tests), cv joint boot split or insecure (3.43% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Audi A4 have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Audi A4 shows 142,061 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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