2012 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
83,053 MOT tests on the 2012 Audi A4 are in this dataset, and 81.8% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail at 18.4%, so the 2012 A4 sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.1%) and tyres (6.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and pins and bushes — headlamp aim alone was recorded 4,787 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.3% in the 0-30k band and 20.2% in the 150k+ band, a 9.9-point spread.
Split by fuel, diesel examples fail 3.9pp more often than petrol ones (18.7% vs 14.8%) — worth weighing if you have a choice.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 26.7% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 16.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 19.8% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.1% | 6,764 |
| 2 | Tyres | 6.4% | 5,329 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.4% | 5,305 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.6% | 2,961 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 2,577 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.8% | 2,293 |
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 | 4,787 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 3,532 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 2,245 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 1,891 |
| 5 | Joints | 1,824 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 1,748 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.7% | 22,179 |
| 2 | Suspension | 24.2% | 20,100 |
| 3 | Brakes | 18.7% | 15,494 |
| 4 | Other defects | 8.8% | 7,323 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 4,035 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 3,134 |
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 | 467 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,963 | 10.9% |
| 60-90k | 18,174 | 15.9% |
| 90-120k | 26,087 | 18.9% |
| 120-150k | 19,197 | 19.7% |
| 150k+ | 14,066 | 20.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 72,088 | 18.7% |
| Petrol | 10,955 | 14.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 17,048 | 16.3% |
| 2022 | 17,077 | 17.5% |
| 2023 | 16,727 | 17.9% |
| 2024 | 16,414 | 19.5% |
| 2025 | 15,787 | 19.8% |
What to check before buying a 2012 A4
On a 2012 A4, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (6.4% 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.
- Suspension (6.4% 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.
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 2012 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
81.8% of the 83,053 2012 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 18.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.1% of tests, followed by tyres (6.4%).
Does the 2012 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 20.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 83,053 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.