2006 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 96,819 MOT tests analysed for the 2006 Audi A4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 75.8% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (76.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 26.5% in the 150k+ group versus 12.9% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 12,753 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.6% | 10,304 |
| 3 | Brakes | 7.8% | 7,546 |
| 4 | Tyres | 7.1% | 6,856 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 5,002 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.9% | 4,731 |
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 | 7,431 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 4,951 |
| 3 | Ball joint dust cover | 4,517 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 3,789 |
| 5 | Joints | 3,671 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 3,664 |
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 | 36.4% | 35,207 |
| 2 | Brakes | 28.9% | 27,955 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 27,925 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 13,272 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 13.6% | 13,188 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.6% | 10,298 |
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 | 264 | 12.9% |
| 30-60k | 2,737 | 14.9% |
| 60-90k | 10,604 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 23,468 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 26,453 | 25.1% |
| 150k+ | 33,215 | 26.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 58,858 | 25.4% |
| Petrol | 37,951 | 22.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,184 | 23.8% |
| 2022 | 22,666 | 23.9% |
| 2023 | 19,676 | 24.5% |
| 2024 | 16,260 | 24.8% |
| 2025 | 13,033 | 24.4% |
What to check before buying a 2006 A4
Before buying a 2006 Audi A4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 13.2% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% 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 (7.8% 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 2006 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
75.8% of the 96,819 2006 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.6%).
Does the 2006 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.9% in the 0-30k band to 26.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 96,819 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.