Audi Q4 MOT pass rate & common failures
16,112 MOT tests on the Audi Q4 (2021–2025) give it a 90.0% pass rate. That is 2.2 percentage points worse than mid-size SUVs of a similar age, which fail at 7.8%. Its most common failure areas are tyres, lighting & signalling and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 8.6% of tests against 1.3% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and washers — tread depth alone was recorded 383 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.8% in the 0-30k band and 13.8% in the 90-120k band, a 5.0-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.2% of tests failed in 2023 against 9.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
By model year
Every Q4 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,137 | 89.9% | 10.1% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 7,403 | 90.0% | 10.0% | Tyres |
| 2023 | 553 | 91.1% | 8.9% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 8.6% | 1,394 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.3% | 211 |
| 3 | Visibility | 1.2% | 192 |
| 4 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.5% | 79 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.4% | 63 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.3% | 41 |
| 7 | Brakes | 0.2% | 38 |
| 8 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.1% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 383 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 256 |
| 3 | Washers | 109 |
| 4 | Wipers | 97 |
| 5 | Size/type | 69 |
| 6 | Registration plates | 59 |
| 7 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 49 |
| 8 | Linkage ball joints | 27 |
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 | 26.3% | 4,240 |
| 2 | Other defects | 7.2% | 1,156 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.6% | 415 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.7% | 279 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 263 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 40 |
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 | 7,460 | 8.8% |
| 30-60k | 7,520 | 10.8% |
| 60-90k | 1,039 | 13.5% |
| 90-120k | 80 | 13.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 58 | 5.2% |
| 2024 | 4,315 | 10.4% |
| 2025 | 11,735 | 9.9% |
What to check before buying a Audi Q4
- Tyres (8.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (1.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Visibility (1.2% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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
What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi Q4?
90.0% of the 16,112 Audi Q4 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 10.1% fail rate, across model years 2021–2025.
What does the Audi Q4 most often fail its MOT on?
Tyres, recorded in 8.6% of tests, then lighting & signalling (1.3%).
How much does mileage affect Q4 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 8.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 13.8% for 90-120k, a 5.0-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 16,112 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.