2023 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2023 Audi A4 passed 90.9% of its 396 recorded MOT tests. Against executive cars of a similar age (5.9% fail rate), the 2023 A4 comes out 3.2pp worse. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Tyres dominates the failure mix at 6.1% of all tests — 3.8 points clear of suspension, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and tread depth — shock absorbers alone was recorded 12 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 14.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.1% | 24 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.3% | 9 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.5% | 6 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 2 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.5% | 2 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 12 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 6 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 3 |
| 4 | Size/type | 3 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 2 |
| 6 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 2 |
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 | 14.1% | 56 |
| 2 | Other defects | 2.8% | 11 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.0% | 8 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 8 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.5% | 6 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.5% | 2 |
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 | 273 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 107 | 11.2% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 316 | 8.9% |
| Diesel | 78 | 10.3% |
What to check before buying a 2023 A4
On a 2023 A4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.1% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (6.1% 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 (2.3% 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 (1.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2023 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
90.9% of the 396 2023 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Audi A4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.1% of tests, followed by suspension (2.3%).
Does the 2023 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.8% in the 0-30k band to 11.2% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 396 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.