2013 Audi RS4 — MOT failures & pass rate
970 MOT tests on the 2013 Audi RS4 are in this dataset, and 88.9% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 17.0% of the time, so this is 5.9pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.5%) and brakes (2.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are brake pads, shock absorbers and registration plates — brake pads alone was recorded 16 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2013 RS4 fails 6.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.8% at 90-120k, a spread of only 3.1 points.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 15.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 53 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.8% | 27 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 2.4% | 23 |
| 4 | Suspension | 2.0% | 19 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 8 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.8% | 8 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brake pads | 16 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 16 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 12 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 11 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 6 | Headlamp | 9 |
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 | 15.7% | 152 |
| 2 | Tyres | 15.2% | 147 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.8% | 105 |
| 4 | Other defects | 3.6% | 35 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.1% | 30 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 1.7% | 16 |
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 | 30 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 319 | 11.3% |
| 60-90k | 443 | 11.7% |
| 90-120k | 153 | 9.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 191 | 12.0% |
| 2022 | 193 | 10.9% |
| 2023 | 192 | 10.9% |
| 2024 | 197 | 10.7% |
| 2025 | 197 | 11.2% |
What to check before buying a 2013 RS4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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.
- Brakes (2.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.4% 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 2013 Audi RS4s pass their MOT?
88.9% of the 970 2013 Audi RS4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Audi RS4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by brakes (2.8%).
Does the 2013 RS4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 9.8% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 970 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.