Audi Quattro MOT pass rate and common problems
88.9% of 1,330 Audi Quattro MOT tests pass.
The Quattro has a pass rate of 88.9%, a little higher than the average across all Audi models (84.5%).
The Audi Quattro passes its MOT 88.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi Quattro?
This is the average across every Audi Quattro in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate eases gradually with age, from 91.5% at 10–15 years to 88.5% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | too few tests (3) | 3 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (23) | 23 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 91.5% | 47 | 85,019 miles |
| 15+ years | 88.5% | 1,256 | 111,610 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi Quattro
The most common reason the Audi Quattro fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 52.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 52.6% | Not working |
| Brakes | 35.4% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Suspension | 26.0% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Visibility | 25.0% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Body, chassis, structure | 20.3% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 20.3% | Emissions carbon monoxide content excessive |
| Tyres | 9.4% | Has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4.2% | Retracting mechanism defective |
| Steering | 3.1% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Audi Quattro: what to check
These checks follow the Audi Quattro’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Audi Quattro comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 91.5% to 88.5%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 96.4% down to 88.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 52.6% of failed Audi Quattro MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 35.4% of failed Audi Quattro MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 5.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 26.0% of failed Audi Quattro MOTs.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 25.0% of failed Audi Quattro MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 20.3% of failed Audi Quattro MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 3.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi 80 — 72.4% pass rate
- Audi A3 E-Tron — 86.1% pass rate
- Audi SQ8 — 95.9% pass rate
- Audi RSQ8 — 96.5% pass rate
- Audi Coupe — 79.3% pass rate
- Audi RS5 — 93.6% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi Quattro?
- 88.9% of Audi Quattro MOT tests pass, based on 1,330 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi Quattro?
- The most common reason the Audi Quattro fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 52.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Audi Quattro?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi Quattro are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension. Rare on young cars, but 8.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi Quattro?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; windscreen and wipers; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi Quattro's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.