Common Audi A4 Problems, Faults, and Repair Costs
Typical MOT issues to check on the Audi A4, with rough repair costs, and its MOT pass rate for each model year. Based on 491,535 MOT tests across 27 model years (DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024, retests included).
Segment: premium | Fuel: Petrol, Diesel
83%
Audi A4 pass rate
90%
Audi average
82%
All-model average
The Audi A4 has an average MOT pass rate of 83%, which is 7 points below the Audi average and 1 point above the average across all models in our data. Newer Audi A4s pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 12 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.
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Common MOT Issues to Check on the Audi A4
Typical issues for a car of this age and type, estimated from its age, fuel type and engine size (not counted from its MOT records), with rough repair costs
Brakes
High likelihood£80 - £450
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Brake discs worn, brake pads thin, handbrake adjustment needed
Failure points:
Brake disc excessively worn, brake pipe corroded, brake efficiency below minimum
Suspension
High likelihood£150 - £600
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Suspension arm bush worn, shock absorber misting, spring corroded
Failure points:
Coil spring broken, ball joint excessive play, shock absorber leaking
Lights
High likelihood£15 - £200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Headlamp aim slightly out, lens deteriorated
Failure points:
Headlamp not working, brake light not functioning, indicator failure
Tyres
High likelihood£50 - £300
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Tyre approaching legal limit, slight damage to sidewall
Failure points:
Tyre below minimum tread depth, tyre has a cut exposing ply
Exhaust & Emissions
High likelihood£80 - £800
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Exhaust mounting corroded, slight exhaust leak
Failure points:
Exhaust emissions exceed limits, catalytic converter efficiency low, DPF warning
Steering
High likelihood£100 - £500
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Track rod end has slight play, steering rack boot deteriorated
Failure points:
Steering rack leaking, track rod ball joint worn beyond limits
Body & Structure
High likelihood£200 - £1200
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Surface corrosion on subframe, slight body panel damage
Failure points:
Structural corrosion, body mounting corroded through, chassis weakness
Windscreen & Wipers
Lower likelihood£10 - £350
Typical repair cost
Common advisories:
Minor windscreen chip, wiper blade deteriorated
Failure points:
Windscreen crack in swept area, wiper does not clear windscreen
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Audi A4 Reliability by Year
MOT pass rate for each model year, from DVSA data for tests carried out in 2024 (retests included). Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger. Highest and lowest are marked among years with 100+ tests that were at least three years old when tested. Fuel and engine size are a guide only.
| Year | Fuel | Engine | Pass Rate | Fail Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Petrol | 2.0L | 96% | 4% |
| 2020 | Diesel | 2.0L | 92% | 8% |
| 2019 | Diesel | 2.0L | 91% | 9% |
| 2018 | Diesel | 2.0L | 89% | 11% |
| 2017 | Diesel | 2.0L | 88% | 12% |
| 2016 | Diesel | 2.0L | 85% | 14% |
| 2015 | Diesel | 2.0L | 85% | 15% |
| 2014 | Diesel | 2.0L | 84% | 15% |
| 2013 | Diesel | 2.0L | 84% | 16% |
| 2012 | Diesel | 2.0L | 83% | 17% |
| 2011 | Diesel | 3.0L | 82% | 18% |
| 2010 | Diesel | 2.0L | 80% | 19% |
| 2009 | Diesel | 2.0L | 79% | 20% |
| 2008 | Diesel | 2.0L | 78% | 21% |
| 2007 | Petrol | 1.8L | 77% | 22% |
| 2006 | Petrol | 1.8L | 76% | 23% |
| 2005 | Petrol | 1.8L | 75% | 23% |
| 2004 | Diesel | 2.5L | 74% | 25% |
| 2003 | Diesel | 2.5L | 74% | 26% |
| 2002 | Diesel | 2.5L | 72% | 26% |
| 2001 | Diesel | 2.5L | 74% | 25% |
| 2000 | Petrol | 2.4L | 76% | 23% |
| 1999 | Petrol | 2.4L | 76% | 23% |
| 1998 | Petrol | 2.4L | 75% | 24% |
| 1997 | Petrol | 1.8L | 74% | 26% |
| 1996 | Petrol | 1.8L | 77% | 21% |
| 1995 | Petrol | 1.8L | 61% | 37% |
Audi A4 Running Costs
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What are the most common Audi A4 problems?
Typical issues to check on an Audi A4 of this age and type are brakes, suspension, lights, tyres, exhaust & emissions, steering and body & structure. These are estimated from its age, fuel type and engine size, not counted from its MOT records. Across 491,535 MOT tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included), 83% ended in a pass.
Is the Audi A4 reliable?
The Audi A4 has an average MOT pass rate of 83%, from 491,535 MOT tests. That is 1 point above the average across all models in our data (82%), so about average. Pass rates fall as cars age, so compare it with cars of a similar age.
Which year Audi A4 is the most reliable?
Of the years with at least 100 tests that were old enough for a routine MOT, the 2021 Audi A4 has the highest MOT pass rate: 96% of its 531 tests ended in a pass. The 1995 has the lowest at 61%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so the pass rate is only part of the picture.
How much does it cost to fix common Audi A4 faults?
As a rough guide, brake work on an Audi A4 typically costs £80-£450 and suspension repairs £150-£600, while exhaust and emissions fixes can cost £80-£800. Lighting and wiper fixes are usually under £200.
Check a Specific Audi A4
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Other Audi Models
Common problems pages for other Audi models