Audi A4 common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Audi A4 at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 267,433 UK MOT tests of the Audi A4 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is mounting (mounting corroded but not seriously weakened): recorded on 3.7% of tests of 2019–2021 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 37× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated) (7.2×); ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (7.2×); linkage pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (5.9×). The most common reasons a Audi A4 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Audi A4
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Audi A4 than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mounting: mounting corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2019–2021 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.7% | 0.1% | 37× | 1,604 |
| Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.6% | 0.5% | 7.2× | 2,981 |
| Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | MOT fail | 2005–2007 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 3.6% | 0.5% | 7.2× | 1,058 |
| Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2002–2004 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 9.4% | 1.6% | 5.9× | 1,546 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2016–2018 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 4.4% | 1.3% | 3.4× | 18,837 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2016–2018 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.9% | 1.5% | 3.3× | 10,859 |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened | Advisory | 2000–2002 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 9.5% | 3.1% | 3.1× | 2,073 |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | MOT fail | 1997–1999 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 7.8% | 2.3% | 3.4× | 769 |
Audi A4 by mileage (2016–2018 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 1,022 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (11%) | — |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 10,859 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (4.9%, 3.3×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 18,837 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (4.4%, 3.4×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 13,808 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (5.5%, 3.4×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 7,156 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (5.5%, 2.9×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 3,330 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (18%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (6.1%, 3.1×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 1,560 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (6%, 2.9×) |
| 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) | 641 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (5.6%, 2.9×) |
| 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 462 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (19%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (5.2%, 3.3×) |
Audi A4 by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 313 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.5×) |
| 1998 | 586 | Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (3.4×) |
| 1999 | 853 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (3.6×) |
| 2000 | 1,140 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3×) |
| 2001 | 1,187 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5×) |
| 2002 | 2,657 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (6.2×) |
| 2003 | 5,030 | Linkage pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (5.9×) |
| 2004 | 8,315 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.1×) |
| 2005 | 9,699 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (4.6×) |
| 2006 | 15,527 | Ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (7.2×) |
| 2007 | 17,618 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (5.5×) |
| 2008 | 17,359 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (7.2×) |
| 2009 | 13,985 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.2×) |
| 2010 | 13,800 | Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2.1×) |
| 2011 | 14,249 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2×) |
| 2012 | 13,878 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.3×) |
| 2013 | 16,374 | Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (2.2×) |
| 2014 | 17,185 | Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (2.2×) |
| 2015 | 16,637 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (2×) |
| 2016 | 22,393 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (2.4×) |
| 2017 | 21,481 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (3.4×) |
| 2018 | 13,801 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (3.8×) |
| 2019 | 13,738 | Mounting: mounting corroded but not seriously weakened at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (31×) |
| 2020 | 8,963 | Mounting: mounting corroded but not seriously weakened at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (37×) |
| 2021 | 357 | Tyres (tread depth): tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (2.2×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Audi A4?
In 267,433 UK MOT tests of the Audi A4 in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is mounting (mounting corroded but not seriously weakened): recorded on 3.7% of tests of 2019–2021 cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km), 37× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: flexible brake hoses (slightly deteriorated) (7.2×); ball joint dust cover (ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (7.2×); linkage pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (5.9×). The most common reasons a Audi A4 fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Why do Audi A4s fail the MOT?
Across 267,433 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Audi A4 were coil spring (fractured or broken) (4.6% of tests); tyres (tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm) (3.6% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (5.9% of tests).
At what mileage do Audi A4 problems start?
The clearest Audi A4-specific issue, mounting (mounting corroded but not seriously weakened), peaks against other cars at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) on 2019–2021 cars (3.7% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Audi A4 data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 267,433 tests of the Audi A4. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.