2012 Audi A4 · 45,965 MOT tests
2012 Audi A4 reliability
2012 Audi A4s fail 26.2% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 24 A4 years (45,965 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A4s: 26.5%)
- 26.2%
- first-time fail rate (all Audi A4s: 26.5%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 28% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- 110,282
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 11
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 45,965
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2012 against the years either side
- 2011 cars: 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- 2013 cars: 27% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2012 car does better)
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 57% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2012 car carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
Common problems
What fails on a 2012 Audi A4
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics9.5%
- Tyres7.6%
- Suspension7.4%
- Brakes4.1%
- Body, chassis and structure3.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.4%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.7%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 3.01%
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
Headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect 2.21%
A wrongly shaped beam can dazzle other drivers and reduce your own view of the road, so the lamps need correcting.
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.94%
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.87%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 1.77%
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 1.71%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (16.77%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (10.4%) · Brake pads wearing thin (7.76%) · Shock absorber light oil misting (6.66%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (6.27%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (4.18%)
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 2012 Audi A4 reliable?
2012 Audi A4s fail 26.2% of first MOT tests, 28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 1 of 24 A4 years (45,965 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2012 Audi A4 MOT?
Most often tyre tread below 1.6mm (3.01% of tests), headlamp beam pattern obviously incorrect (2.21% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.94% of tests).
How many miles should a 2012 Audi A4 have done?
At its MOT aged about 11, a typical 2012 Audi A4 shows 110,282 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2012 car?
A car first registered in 2012 carries a 61 plate (January–February 2012), or a 12 plate (March–August 2012), or a 62 plate (September–December 2012).
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