Is the Audi A4 reliable?

The Audi A4 has an average MOT pass rate of 80% across 27 years, based on 491,535 tests in 2026. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 96% pass rate.

Which year Audi A4 is best?

The 2021 Audi A4 has the highest MOT pass rate at 96%, while the 1995 model has the lowest at 61%. There's a 35 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Audi A4

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 27 years from 491,535 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

80%

Total Tests

491,535

Best Year

2021 (96%)

Years Covered

About the Audi A4

The Audi A4 has been tested 491,535 times in 2026 MOT data across 27 model years (1995 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 80%. That's close to the national average of 82%. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 96% pass rate from 531 tests. The 1995 model has the lowest at 61%. With a 35 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer AUDI A4s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 12 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1995) averages 153,421 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 25,826 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Compared to the Audi brand average of 90%, the A4 is 10 points lower, placing it among the less reliable Audi models.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1984cc)

£1,327

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,777

Per month£148/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Audi A4?

vs national average-2% (82% avg)

vs Audi brand average-10% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread35 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Audi A4 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	96%	531	25,826 mi
2020	92%	13,420	39,596 mi
2019	91%	25,771	48,333 mi
2018	89%	27,431	57,063 mi
2017	88%	41,848	70,662 mi
2016	85%	41,258	82,779 mi
2015	85%	31,961	92,608 mi
2014	84%	33,458	102,945 mi
2013	84%	32,559	109,938 mi
2012	83%	26,765	120,869 mi
2011	82%	26,901	130,117 mi
2010	80%	25,855	136,452 mi
2009	79%	26,384	138,021 mi
2008	78%	31,415	137,710 mi
2007	77%	30,996	136,433 mi
2006	76%	26,758	137,214 mi
2005	75%	15,245	139,515 mi
2004	74%	12,946	146,260 mi
2003	74%	7,402	148,576 mi
2002	72%	3,944	156,746 mi
2001	74%	1,748	148,131 mi
2000	76%	1,674	149,460 mi
1999	76%	2,062	160,008 mi
1998	75%	1,597	153,893 mi
1997	74%	842	161,934 mi
1996	77%	556	158,416 mi
1995	61%	208	153,421 mi