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Audi A4 reliability by build year

Coverage 2004-20243 named generationsexecutive saloonSaloonDIESEL / PETROL
At a glance

Audi A4 built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Audi A4 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check an Audi A4 by number plate

Key figure

17% of MOT tests on Audi A4 models built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 14% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Audi A4 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Audi A4's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Suspension springs

Worth checking

Check ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your A4's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

A4 B9

B9 (2015-2024)

Average
DIESELPETROLHYBRID ELECTRIC

17.3% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 21,428 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A4 B8

B8 (2008-2014)

Excellent
DIESELPETROL

22.3% fail rate, built around 2013 (12 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 26.3%)

From 7,299 MOT tests at this ageView details →
A4 B7

B7 (2004-2007)

Too close to call between ratings
DIESELPETROL

28.0% fail rate, built around 2007 (18 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 31.3%)

From 16,006 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Audi A4.

See every build year for the Audi A4

Side-by-side

Audi A4 generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
B9 (2015-2024)
Average
Average17.3%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 21,428 MOT tests at this age
B8 (2008-2014)
Excellent
Excellent22.3%built around 2013 (12 years old)from 7,299 MOT tests at this age
B7 (2004-2007)
No ratingToo close to call between ratings
No ratingToo close to call between ratings28.0%built around 2007 (18 years old)from 16,006 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the A4, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Audi A4 fail rate by age

This chart combines every Audi A4 ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
8,05411.0%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
9,10111.1%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
11,19612.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
14,86815.3%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
21,42817.3%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
27,44317.4%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
23,06218.9%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
22,43121.1%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
21,32121.3%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
19,38421.9%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
17,35623.3%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
17,01325.0%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
16,53426.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
16,82827.5%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
16,59127.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
16,00628.0%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
11,20628.3%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
7,04228.8%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
5,45629.3%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
3,00029.6%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
1,40628.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
1,00228.0%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
2,36529.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 22 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Audi A4 stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Audi models

11th of 12

11th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against other saloons

25th of 29

25th lowest fail rate of 29 saloons with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the highest third

Against the UK average

17.3%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Audi A4 models

These issues come from 7-year-old Audi A4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.3%
    Advisory: 6,440Fail: 808 (11% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    11.7%
    Advisory: 4,372Fail: 256 (6% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Coil spring corroded

    9.4%
    Advisory: 894Fail: 1,738 (66% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    9.4%
    Advisory: 2,411Fail: 241 (9% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    6.9%
    Advisory: 1,643Fail: 495 (23% of the times it was found)

Based on 21,428 MOT tests on 7-year-old Audi A4 models, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Audi A4 models notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Suspension + Tyres35%
  2. Brakes + Tyres28%
  3. Brakes + Suspension21%
  4. Other + Tyres15%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 5,122 MOT tests on Audi A4 cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

85%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · Fewer than typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

36 recalls in all

31 of the 36 Audi A4 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 4 Critical
  • 27 more

Top concerns

  • Stop-drive Takata PSAN
  • If a front airbag is deployed it is possible that the gas generator housing in which the propellant is generated may bur
  • Risk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Volvo S90

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.8%
    Dangerous
    5.9%

    Lower fail rate: 12.3%, against 17.3% for the Audi A4, both built around 2018.

    2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Jaguar XE

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    15.2%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    6%

    Lower fail rate: 15.2%, against 17.3% for the Audi A4, both built around 2018.

    8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Alfa Romeo Giulia

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    3.9%
    Dangerous
    6.5%

    Lower fail rate: 13.8%, against 17.3% for the Audi A4, both built around 2018.

    2,110 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Jaguar XF

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    13.3%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    2.6%
    Dangerous
    5.3%
    Still registered at 10 years
    91.1%

    Lower fail rate: 13.3%, against 17.3% for the Audi A4, both built around 2018.

    10 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    6,761 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A4 across all generations combined fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. It has the 11th lowest fail rate of 12 Audi models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 21,428 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Audi A4 ever sold: 310,093 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 21,428 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.