Audi A4 B9 (2015-2024) reliability
Audi A4 B9 built around 2018: about average at the MOT
Audi A4 B9 models built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.
Looking at an Audi A4 B9?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Key figure
17% of MOT tests on Audi A4 B9 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 B9 models built around 2018 involves the tyres.
Based on 128,279 tests of A4 models registered 2015-2024.
About 1 in 8 petrol A4 cars registered in 2022 (12.2%) failed their first MOT.
Based on 4,547 first MOTs (DVSA MOT results, 2025).
About 1 in 30 A4 B9 MOTs (3.4%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2018 (7 years old), all fuels combined.
Based on 21,428 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.
About 1 in 20 A4 B9 MOTs (5.4%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2018 (7 years old).
Based on 21,428 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.
B9 fail rate by age
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 10 years old.
How the A4 B9 compares
At each age below, see how the A4 B9 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.
Based on 171,464 tests across 16 Audi models, built around 2018 (7 years old).
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.
What to check before viewing
The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.
Brake pads
High priorityAsk when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.
Tyres
Worth checkingCheck tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.
Suspension bushes and joints
Worth checkingListen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.
Suspension springs
Worth checkingCheck ride height is even side-to-side and look for cracked or rusted coils.
Vehicle-specific check
Worth checkingCheck the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.
Other saloons to compare
Other saloons, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the A4 B9.
- 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 B9, both built around 2018.
2,355 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 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 B9, both built around 2018.
8,135 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 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 B9, both built around 2018.
2,110 MOT tests on cars built around 2018
- 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 B9, 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.
How many are still registered
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
32 recalls in all16 of the 32 A4 B9 recalls cover cars built in these years.
- 2 Critical
- 14 more
Top concerns
- Risk of overheating and failure of additional coolant pump
- Auxilliary heater element in air conditioning may fail and/or overheat
- Following a previous campaign the toe and/or camber values on the rear axle may in certain circumstances incorrectly be
For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.
What has gone wrong on A4 B9 cars built around 2018
The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 722 cars.
Fail rate by engine size, built around 2018 (7 years old)
Engine sizes across all petrol A4 tests (not specific to B9).
How A4 B9 cars have aged
How A4 B9 cars have aged
How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.
Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.
How each part holds up as B9 cars age
How each part holds up as B9 cars age
The share of petrol cars built 2017-2020 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.
| Part of the car | 5 years | 6 years | 7 years | 8 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 6% | 7% | 21% | 20% |
| Brakes | 5% | 5% | 8% | 10% |
| Emissions | No figure | 1% | 1% | 2% |
| Tyres | 16% | 27% | 28% | 29% |
| Lighting | 1% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
| Drivetrain | No figure | No figure | No figure | 1% |
Based on petrol cars in the 2017-2020 build-year band, from 281 to 763 cars at each age.
B9 variants compared
A4 B9 variants built around 2018
The fail rate for each A4 B9 variant, grouped by fuel. Each row counts fails per MOT test, the same way as the main fail rate chart.
Petrol
- A416.6%12,918 tests
Diesel
- A418.3%8,500 tests
Most common issues on Audi A4 models of this age
This list covers every Audi A4 built around 2018, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the B9 on its own.
Most common advisories and fails
In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one
- 120.3%Advisory
Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge
- 211.7%Advisory
Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much
- 39.4%Advisory
Coil spring corroded
- 49.4%Advisory
Brake pads wearing thin
- 56.9%Advisory
Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing
Based on 21,428 tests
Looking at an Audi A4 B9?
Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.
Frequently asked questions
Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Audi A4 B9 (2015-2024) fails MOTs at about the rate typical for this age. This is based on 21,428 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.