Audi A4 reliability and common problems

Is the Audi A4 reliable?

Going by its MOT results, the Audi A4 is about average: 79% of the 89,260 MOT tests on Audi A4 vehicles checked on CarCheckUp were passed, against 77% for all vehicles we checked. That places it 19th of the 59 popular models we publish figures for. Lights and indicators items are its most common reason to fail (40% of failed tests). MOT results show how often cars reach the test with a defect, not breakdowns or repair bills, so judge the one you are buying by its own MOT history and service record.

Audi A4: 6,746 vehicles and 89,260 MOT tests. All vehicles: 492,751 vehicles and 5,722,341 tests checked on CarCheckUp. Vehicles people check before buying are not a random sample of the UK fleet. The models side by side: most reliable cars by MOT pass rate.

Audi A4 common problems: most common MOT failures and advisories

The defects MOT testers record most often on the Audi A4, as a share of all its MOT tests (the same defect on any wheel or side counts once). Look at these on the car you are viewing, or on your own before its next MOT.

From the DVSA MOT histories of 6,740 Audi A4 vehicles checked on CarCheckUp (89,181 tests, retests included), counted 2 October 2026. MOT data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

What to check on a used Audi A4

In the order the A4's MOT records suggest: the areas that fail or draw advisories most often on this model, and what to look at in each.

1. Lights and indicators 40% of failed A4 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Headlamp aim too low” (1.2% of tests). Have someone walk round the car while you try every lamp, including the number plate, brake and fog lamps, and look for misted or cracked units.
2. Tyres 29% of failed A4 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm” (2.7% of tests). Look at the tread across the full width of all four tyres and at the sidewalls for cracks or bulges; uneven wear points to tracking or suspension faults.
3. Suspension 26% of failed A4 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Coil spring fractured or broken” (1.3% of tests). Drive over a rough road with the radio off and listen for knocks; push down on each corner (it should settle at once) and look for uneven tyre wear.
4. Brakes 16% of failed A4 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Brake pad less than 1.5 mm thick” (1.2% of tests). Look through the wheels at the discs for a raised lip, scoring or rust, ask when pads and discs were last changed, and check the handbrake holds on a slope.
5. Windscreen and wipers 11% of failed A4 MOT tests have a failure here; most often “Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid” (0.8% of tests). Check the glass for chips and cracks in the driver's view, and that the wipers clear cleanly and the washers work.

Then read the car's own record: the free MOT history check shows every failure and advisory for one registration, and the MOT advisories check explains what each note means. Of the 48 Audi A4 vehicles checked with a full CarCheckUp report, 27.1% had an insurance write-off record and 25.0% had outstanding finance: neither shows on the car or in the free check.

Audi A4 questions