2011 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 86,194 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Audi A4, the most common recorded failure areas were suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres. Its pass rate of 80.6% was in line with the average for executive cars of a similar age (80.2%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 21.3% in the 150k+ group versus 12.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 8.3% | 7,149 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 8.2% | 7,023 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.5% | 5,571 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.9% | 3,372 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.4% | 2,941 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.2% | 2,747 |
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 | 5,208 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 3,689 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 3,509 |
| 4 | Coil spring | 2,551 |
| 5 | Joints | 2,098 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 1,973 |
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 | 30.4% | 26,217 |
| 2 | Tyres | 27.7% | 23,887 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.6% | 16,855 |
| 4 | Other defects | 10.7% | 9,194 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.3% | 5,471 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.4% | 4,684 |
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 | 457 | 12.0% |
| 30-60k | 3,575 | 11.5% |
| 60-90k | 14,371 | 16.8% |
| 90-120k | 24,511 | 19.4% |
| 120-150k | 22,058 | 20.6% |
| 150k+ | 21,052 | 21.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 74,304 | 19.8% |
| Petrol | 11,879 | 16.7% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,840 | 17.7% |
| 2022 | 17,839 | 18.5% |
| 2023 | 17,474 | 19.4% |
| 2024 | 16,867 | 20.5% |
| 2025 | 16,174 | 20.9% |
What to check before buying a 2011 A4
Before buying a 2011 Audi A4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Suspension accounted for 8.3% of tests for this year.
- Suspension (8.3% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (8.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.5% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2011 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 86,194 2011 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Audi A4?
Suspension, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (8.2%).
Does the 2011 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.0% in the 0-30k band to 21.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 86,194 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.