2003 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 33,817 MOT tests, the 2003 Audi A4 recorded a 73.7% pass rate. Executive cars of a similar age fail 24.4% of the time, so this is 1.9pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (16.1%) and suspension (13.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, flexible brake hoses and headlamp aim — pins and bushes alone was recorded 2,591 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.9% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 28.4% once past 150k.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 2.8pp more often than petrol ones (27.5% vs 24.7%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 42.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 16.1% | 5,428 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.1% | 4,441 |
| 3 | Brakes | 11.7% | 3,943 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.1% | 2,052 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.0% | 1,698 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.9% | 1,661 |
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 | 2,591 |
| 2 | Flexible brake hoses | 2,249 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,244 |
| 4 | Headlamp | 1,552 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 1,467 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 1,466 |
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 | 42.1% | 14,241 |
| 2 | Brakes | 31.6% | 10,677 |
| 3 | Tyres | 29.2% | 9,885 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 20.3% | 6,877 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 6,730 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.9% | 4,360 |
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 | 154 | 14.9% |
| 30-60k | 807 | 15.1% |
| 60-90k | 3,351 | 21.6% |
| 90-120k | 6,362 | 24.4% |
| 120-150k | 7,824 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 15,271 | 28.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 19,515 | 27.5% |
| Petrol | 14,302 | 24.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,875 | 26.7% |
| 2022 | 8,408 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 6,346 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 4,698 | 26.6% |
| 2025 | 3,490 | 25.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 A4
On a 2003 A4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 16.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (16.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.1% 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 (11.7% 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 2003 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
73.7% of the 33,817 2003 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 16.1% of tests, followed by suspension (13.1%).
Does the 2003 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.9% in the 0-30k band to 28.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 33,817 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.