2002 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
18,458 MOT tests on the 2002 Audi A4 are in this dataset, and 73.0% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (24.3% fail rate), the 2002 A4 comes out 2.7pp worse. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (15.6%) and suspension (13.3%) 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 flexible brake hoses — pins and bushes alone was recorded 1,431 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 12.1% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 29.1% once past 150k — 2.4× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 25.0% fail against 28.3% for diesel, a 3.2-point gap across 18,458 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 44.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.1% in 2021 to 25.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 2,880 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.3% | 2,460 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.0% | 2,390 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,139 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 911 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 860 |
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 | 1,431 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,160 |
| 3 | Flexible brake hoses | 1,132 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 856 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 781 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 769 |
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 | 44.1% | 8,138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.7% | 6,038 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.7% | 5,307 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 3,643 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.0% | 3,501 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.2% | 2,614 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 66 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 452 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,608 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,984 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,763 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 9,547 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,346 | 28.3% |
| Petrol | 7,112 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,157 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 4,518 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 3,399 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 2,536 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 1,848 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 A4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.3% 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 (13.0% 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 2002 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 18,458 2002 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.3%).
Does the 2002 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,458 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.