2005 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 62,674 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Audi A4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 75.0% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.0% in the 150k+ group versus 9.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.3% | 8,966 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.4% | 7,120 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.7% | 6,702 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.5% | 4,044 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.7% | 3,550 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.8% | 3,019 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 5,299 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 3,159 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 2,761 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 2,458 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 2,359 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 2,300 |
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 | 40.6% | 25,472 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.5% | 18,480 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.7% | 17,964 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.5% | 10,948 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 9,524 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.3% | 6,456 |
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 | 223 | 9.0% |
| 30-60k | 1,717 | 16.3% |
| 60-90k | 6,655 | 22.6% |
| 90-120k | 13,796 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 16,775 | 26.0% |
| 150k+ | 23,416 | 26.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 36,525 | 25.5% |
| Petrol | 26,144 | 24.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 18,452 | 25.1% |
| 2022 | 15,478 | 25.1% |
| 2023 | 12,275 | 25.0% |
| 2024 | 9,390 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 7,079 | 24.5% |
What to check before buying a 2005 A4
Before buying a 2005 Audi A4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 14.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (14.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.4% 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 (10.7% 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 2005 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
75.0% of the 62,674 2005 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.3% of tests, followed by suspension (11.4%).
Does the 2005 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.0% in the 0-30k band to 26.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 62,674 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.