Audi S4 MOT pass rate and common problems
90.6% of 4,677 Audi S4 MOT tests pass.
The S4 passes its MOT 90.6% of the time — well above the average across all Audi models, which sits at 84.5%.
The Audi S4 passes its MOT 90.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi S4?
This is the average across every Audi S4 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 declines noticeably with age, from 95.4% at 0–3 years to 80.3% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.4% | 283 | 29,125 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.8% | 2,345 | 42,120 miles |
| 6–10 years | 85.4% | 206 | 70,054 miles |
| 10–15 years | 90.0% | 900 | 93,400 miles |
| 15+ years | 80.3% | 943 | 111,398 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi S4
The most common reason the Audi S4 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 38.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 38.1% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Tyres | 37.5% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 30.8% | Not working |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.5% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Brakes | 13.7% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 8.9% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 8.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Identification of the vehicle | 4.4% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.3% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 1.4% | Ball joint dust cover excessively damaged or deteriorated so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Audi S4: what to check
These checks follow the Audi S4’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 S4 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 90.0% to 80.3%. 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: 93.4% down to 87.3%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 38.1% of failed Audi S4 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 12.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
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.
2. Tyres
Recorded in 37.5% of failed Audi S4 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
3. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 30.8% of failed Audi S4 MOTs. 9.0% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.7% at 0–3 years.
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.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 14.5% of failed Audi S4 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 4.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Brakes
Recorded in 13.7% of failed Audi S4 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 2.9% 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.
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 A2 — 64.1% pass rate
- Audi Q4 E-Tron — 90.0% pass rate
- Audi RS6 — 93.6% pass rate
- Audi S5 — 87.6% pass rate
- Audi RSQ3 — 94.9% pass rate
- Audi RS4 — 91.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi S4?
- 90.6% of Audi S4 MOT tests pass, based on 4,677 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi S4?
- The most common reason the Audi S4 fails its MOT is suspension — present in 38.1% of failed tests, most often logged as "Pin or bush excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Audi S4?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi S4 are suspension; tyres; lights and electrics. Rare on young cars, but 12.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi S4?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; tyres; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks; brakes. 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 S4'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.