2006 Audi RS4 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,117 MOT tests on the 2006 Audi RS4 are in this dataset, and 86.7% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 23.8% of the time, so this is 10.5pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (5.0%) and lighting & signalling (3.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, joints and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 74 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.4% in the 0-30k band and 16.1% in the 150k+ band, a 13.7-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 21.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 12.8% in 2021 to 10.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5.0% | 106 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.9% | 83 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.8% | 81 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.4% | 72 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.1% | 65 |
| 6 | Tyres | 2.5% | 54 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 74 |
| 2 | Joints | 70 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 4 | Ball joint dust cover | 49 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 42 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 33 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 21.3% | 452 |
| 2 | Suspension | 20.0% | 424 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.4% | 304 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.6% | 119 |
| 5 | Other defects | 4.1% | 87 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.0% | 84 |
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 | 42 | 2.4% |
| 30-60k | 238 | 9.2% |
| 60-90k | 632 | 13.0% |
| 90-120k | 806 | 15.3% |
| 120-150k | 341 | 13.2% |
| 150k+ | 56 | 16.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 447 | 12.8% |
| 2022 | 450 | 13.3% |
| 2023 | 426 | 13.9% |
| 2024 | 413 | 15.7% |
| 2025 | 381 | 10.8% |
What to check before buying a 2006 RS4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 5.0% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (5.0% 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 (3.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Emissions & environmental (3.8% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
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 2006 Audi RS4s pass their MOT?
86.7% of the 2,117 2006 Audi RS4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2006 Audi RS4?
Suspension, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.9%).
Does the 2006 RS4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.4% in the 0-30k band to 16.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,117 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.