Executive car · 1998–2021 cars

Audi S4 reliability

The Audi S4 fails 15.6% of first MOT tests, 49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 7,962 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 95/100#8 of 40 executive cars

Checking a Audi S4 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 15.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 49% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 7,962; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 9,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi S4 ages

Each point is the share of Audi S4s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi S4All cars

Audi S4 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi S4	All cars
3	7.1%	12.3%
4	6.2%	14.1%
9	20.3%	28.8%
10	9.2%	31.8%
11	18.9%	34.6%
12	20.5%	37.3%
13	16.9%	39.5%
14	15.7%	41.1%
15	22.9%	42.3%
16	27%	42.9%
17	20.4%	43.4%
18	28.6%	43.5%
19	23.3%	43.4%

By year

The best and worst Audi S4 years

Audi S4 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2020 S4	1,895	6.4%	56% fewer fails	38,272
2019	732	7.4%	50% fewer fails	39,272
2014	281	15.7%	44% fewer fails	72,264
2013	261	8%	75% fewer fails	83,944
2012	245	16.3%	53% fewer fails	82,921
2011	570	16.1%	57% fewer fails	86,804
2010	662	18.7%	53% fewer fails	99,157
2009	552	17.6%	57% fewer fails	96,723
2007	317	23.7%	44% fewer fails	89,997
2006	539	27.8%	36% fewer fails	99,380
2005	433	23.8%	46% fewer fails	101,826
2004	548	23.9%	46% fewer fails	103,743
1999	229	24.9%	40% fewer fails	152,249

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi S4

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

Fail rate by area

Tyres4.7%26% below avg
Lights and electrics4.3%67% below avg
Suspension4.3%58% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks2.3%42% below avg
Brakes2.2%72% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.7%63% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1.4%74% below avg
Seat belts and airbags0.7%49% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.6%46% above avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.19% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken 1.13% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.07% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.02% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.92% 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 0.88% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
7
Headlamp aim set too low 0.83% of tests
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
8
Headlamp aim set too high 0.68% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi S4's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit9.07%
Engine oil leak, not excessive5.83%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.56%
Brake disc pitted or scored3.74%
Brake pads wearing thin3.43%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.21%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi S4

1
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.
2
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
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.
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 S4 covers about 9,100 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

Petrol65.6%
Diesel34.3%
LPG0.1%

Most common colours

Black, Blue, Grey, White, Silver

Average engine size: 3.3 litres.

Compare

How the Audi S4 compares with its rivals

Audi S4 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
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
Audi S5	16.9%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi S4	15.6%	49% 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
Infiniti Q50	19.9%	15% 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 S4 questions, answered

Is the Audi S4 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi S4 is better than average: it fails 15.6% of first MOT tests, 49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 8 of 40 executive car models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi S4 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi S4 are tyre ply or cords exposed (1.19% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (1.13% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.07% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4.7% of its tests.

How many miles does a Audi S4 do a year?

A typical Audi S4 covers about 9,100 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 S4 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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