Executive car · 2000–2020 cars
Audi RS4 reliability
The Audi RS4 fails 15% of first MOT tests, 60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 5,330 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Audi RS4 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 15%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 60% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 5,330
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,400
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Audi RS4 ages
Each point is the share of Audi RS4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Audi RS4 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 16.4% | 25.5% |
| 9 | 11.3% | 28.8% |
| 10 | 8% | 31.8% |
| 15 | 19.2% | 42.3% |
| 16 | 20.7% | 42.9% |
| 17 | 14.7% | 43.4% |
| 18 | 16.4% | 43.5% |
By year
The best and worst Audi RS4 years
2006 cars come out best and 2007 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Audi RS4
Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Suspension3.9%71% below avg
- Lights and electrics3.8%77% below avg
- Tyres3.5%48% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.9%45% below avg
- Brakes2.9%71% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure2.4%61% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.1%83% below avg
- Number plates and VIN0.5%9% above avg
- Steering0.4%87% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.56% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.05% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.94% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 4
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed 0.81% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.79% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 6
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.71% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
- 7
Coil spring fractured or broken 0.69% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
- 8
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.68% 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 RS4's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.94%
- Brake disc pitted or scored6.23%
- Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.22%
- Shock absorber light oil misting3.41%
- Brake pads wearing thin2.8%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy2.57%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Audi RS4
- 1
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.
- 2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 3
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 4
Ball joint dust cover no longer sealed
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the joint, speeding wear, so the joint may need replacing later.
- 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 RS4 covers about 7,400 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
- Petrol99.9%
- Diesel0.1%
Most common colours
Black, Blue, Grey, Silver, Red
Average engine size: 3.9 litres.
Compare
How the Audi RS4 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Audi RS4 | 15% | 60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW M6 | 10.5% | 59% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW Alpina | 16.1% | 54% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus ES | 6.9% | 52% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi S5 | 16.9% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Lexus RC | 9.6% | 43% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi Allroad | 27.8% | 36% 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 RS4 questions, answered
Is the Audi RS4 reliable?
On MOT results, the Audi RS4 is better than average: it fails 15% of first MOT tests, 60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 40 executive car models in our index.
What fails most on a Audi RS4 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Audi RS4 are cv joint boot split or insecure (1.56% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (1.05% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (0.94% of tests). By area, suspension fails 3.9% of its tests.
Which Audi RS4 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2006 cars do best (60% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2007 cars do worst (58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Audi RS4 do a year?
A typical Audi RS4 covers about 7,400 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 RS4 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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