Audi A4
Registered from 1995 to 2023.
About this model
The Audi A4 is a line of luxury compact executive cars produced from 1994 to 2025 by the German car manufacturer Audi, a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group. The A4 has been built in five generations and is based on the Volkswagen Group B platform. The first generation A4 succeeded the Audi 80. The automaker's internal numbering treats the A4 as a continuation of the Audi 80 lineage, with the initial A4 designated as the B5-series, followed by the B6, B7, B8, and the B9.
From the Wikipedia article Audi A4, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What fails its inspection
Great Britain's MOT record for the 2014 2.0 diesel. 3,138 of 17,340 tests failed, 18%.
Better than 45% of 2014 cars. The typical one fails 17%, across 870 models with enough tests behind them to say.
| Where | Share of failures | Failed tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres and wheels | 40% | 1,244 |
| Suspension | 31% | 960 |
| Lights and electrics | 26% | 821 |
| Brakes | 20% | 625 |
| Body and structure | 17% | 520 |
| Visibility | 10% | 302 |
The defects inspectors cite
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- Tyres and wheels — 40% of its failures
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A tyre seriously damaged
- Suspension — 31% of its failures
- A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage
- A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened
- A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
- Brakes — 20% of its failures
- A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm
- Lights and electrics — 26% of its failures
- Body and structure — 17% of its failures
- Visibility — 10% of its failures
When it starts failing
At 200k+ miles this one fails 20% of its inspections, against the 24% an ordinary car of the same age fails.
| Odometer | Failure rate | Rate | Its age | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0–20k miles | 6% | 7% | 34 | |
| 20–40k miles | 7% | 11% | 294 | |
| 40–60k miles | 14% | 15% | 1,448 | |
| 60–80k miles | 16% | 19% | 3,386 | |
| 80–100k miles | 19% | 21% | 4,250 | |
| 100–120k miles | 20% | 23% | 3,503 | |
| 120–140k miles | 21% | 23% | 2,161 | |
| 140–160k miles | 19% | 23% | 1,237 | |
| 160–180k miles | 19% | 23% | 612 | |
| 180–200k miles | 25% | 23% | 247 | |
| 200k+ miles | 20% | 24% | 168 |
17,340 British inspections, grouped by the odometer reading recorded at the test.
Half of these have more than 80k miles on them. That is how far people drive this car, not how long it lasts.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2.0 diesel · 167 hp · 1580 kg · 2829 mm wheelbase · 4.6 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 2.0 petrol · 168 hp · 1561 kg · 2829 mm wheelbase · 5.9 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2.0 petrol · 1541 kg · 2828 mm wheelbase · 6.3 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 2.0 petrol · 210 hp · 1595 kg · 2830 mm wheelbase · 8.0 L/100km (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 1.4 petrol · 1464 kg · 2828 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2017 | 2.0 diesel · 1576 kg · 2828 mm wheelbase · 4.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 2.0 diesel · 1585 kg · 2828 mm wheelbase · 4.0 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2015 | 2.0 diesel · 158 hp · 1627 kg · 2820 mm wheelbase · 4.5 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2014 | 2.0 diesel · 1616 kg · 2817 mm wheelbase · 4.8 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2013 | 2.0 diesel · 152 hp · 1586 kg · 2817 mm wheelbase · 4.7 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2012 | 2.0 diesel · 142 hp · 1600 kg · 2816 mm wheelbase · 5.3 L/100km (NEDC) |
| 2011 | 2.0 diesel · 142 hp · 1599 kg · 2816 mm wheelbase · 5.2 L/100km (NEDC) |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
A12/00504/22
Alteration of the rear axle’s toe and/or camber values lead to increased and uneven wear on the rear tyres, and if worn down to its carcass may suffer a sudden loss of pressure. This can lead to loss of traction and may affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of an accident. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00788/23
The airbag may deteriorate over time and if deployed, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator body to burst and metal fragments could pass through the cushion material causing injury to occupants. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/00849/20
Audi has been informed by its current supplier that driver-airbag gas generators from the original manufacturer Takata (‘NADI’ (non-azide driver inflator) generators) produced during 1997-1999 may be faulty. Internal investigations have shown that in the event of an accident the restraining effect of the deployed driver airbag might not always be fully guaranteed. Compliance with the statutory requirements in force for protection by an airbag in the event of an accident is thus not ensured. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/01891/20
The Takata gas generator housing could burst when the passenger airbag is deployed. This may cause small metal parts to become detached from the housing, posing a risk of injury to the occupants.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/03031/23
A defective welding seam on the front seat back frame can break in the event of an accident. As a result, the person sitting in the seat may hit their head on the B-pillar, increasing the risk of injury. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles and their trailers, and of systems, components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0650/18
The adhesive attaching the windscreen is not sufficiently secure. In the event of an accident, the protective effect of the passenger airbag could be compromised.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/0834/19
The handheld control unit for throttle and brake may develop a fracture in a welded joint in the relay mechanism. If this damage occurs this may lead to impaired functioning or even failure of the brake and gas control via the manual control device.
Recall of the product from end users
A12/1516/19
A damaged transistor may have been installed in the airbag control unit. Consequently, it may not properly make contact leading to the passenger airbag not to be triggered in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries.
Recall of the product from end users