2000 Audi RS4 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2000 Audi RS4 passed 89.7% of its 263 recorded MOT tests. Against executive cars of a similar age (23.6% fail rate), the 2000 RS4 comes out 13.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.2% of tests against 3.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and position lamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 11 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2000 RS4 fails 11.5% of the time in the 90-120k band and 9.8% at 150k+, a spread of only 1.7 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 17.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 7.2% | 19 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.8% | 10 |
| 3 | Brakes | 3.4% | 9 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.7% | 7 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.3% | 6 |
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 | 11 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 9 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 8 |
| 4 | Flexible brake hoses | 7 |
| 5 | Joints | 5 |
| 6 | Attachment | 4 |
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 | 17.1% | 45 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.6% | 41 |
| 3 | Tyres | 9.9% | 26 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.0% | 21 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 13 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.2% | 11 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 122 | 11.5% |
| 120-150k | 52 | 11.5% |
| 150k+ | 51 | 9.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 55 | 10.9% |
| 2022 | 57 | 10.5% |
| 2023 | 50 | 14.0% |
| 2024 | 52 | 3.9% |
| 2025 | 49 | 12.2% |
What to check before buying a 2000 RS4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 7.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (7.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (3.8% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Brakes (3.4% 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 2000 Audi RS4s pass their MOT?
89.7% of the 263 2000 Audi RS4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 10.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Audi RS4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 7.2% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (3.8%).
Does the 2000 RS4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.5% in the 90-120k band to 9.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 263 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.