2001 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
8,024 MOT tests on the 2001 Audi A4 are in this dataset, and 73.3% of them passed. That is 2.6 percentage points worse than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 24.1%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.8%) and suspension (12.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and joints — pins and bushes alone was recorded 500 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.0% in the 30-60k band and 28.4% in the 150k+ band, a 12.5-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 1.7pp more often than petrol ones (27.5% vs 25.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.4% in 2021 to 24.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.8% | 1,110 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.9% | 1,034 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.3% | 904 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.4% | 516 |
| 5 | Tyres | 5.3% | 427 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 420 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 500 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 416 |
| 3 | Joints | 357 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 352 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 306 |
| 6 | Wipers | 306 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 40.3% | 3,231 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.7% | 2,546 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.1% | 2,175 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 17.6% | 1,414 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.7% | 1,260 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.4% | 1,158 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 238 | 16.0% |
| 60-90k | 750 | 21.2% |
| 90-120k | 1,495 | 26.3% |
| 120-150k | 1,729 | 27.5% |
| 150k+ | 3,787 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 4,119 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 3,897 | 25.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,600 | 28.4% |
| 2022 | 1,942 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 1,489 | 25.3% |
| 2024 | 1,135 | 26.3% |
| 2025 | 858 | 24.8% |
What to check before buying a 2001 A4
On a 2001 A4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.9% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (11.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
73.3% of the 8,024 2001 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by suspension (12.9%).
Does the 2001 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.0% in the 30-60k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 8,024 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.