2011 Audi S4 — MOT failures & pass rate
916 MOT tests on the 2011 Audi S4 are in this dataset, and 85.2% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (19.7% fail rate), the 2011 S4 comes out 4.9pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.3%) and suspension (4.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, pins and bushes and catalyst emissions — headlamp aim alone was recorded 32 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 20.4% versus 8.6%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 21.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 13.8% of tests failed in 2021 against 17.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.3% | 49 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.7% | 43 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 42 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.1% | 28 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 19 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.0% | 18 |
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 | 32 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 26 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 22 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 21 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 17 |
| 6 | Wipers | 14 |
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 | 21.4% | 196 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.3% | 186 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.6% | 134 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.1% | 65 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 45 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.4% | 31 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 105 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 354 | 15.5% |
| 90-120k | 299 | 15.4% |
| 120-150k | 90 | 17.8% |
| 150k+ | 44 | 20.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 189 | 13.8% |
| 2022 | 176 | 14.2% |
| 2023 | 192 | 16.2% |
| 2024 | 178 | 12.4% |
| 2025 | 181 | 17.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 S4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.3% 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 (4.7% 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 (4.6% 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 2011 Audi S4s pass their MOT?
85.2% of the 916 2011 Audi S4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 14.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Audi S4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by suspension (4.7%).
Does the 2011 S4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 30-60k band to 20.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 916 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.