2011 Audi S4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 725 MOT tests analysed for the 2011 Audi S4, the most common recorded failure areas were tyres, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 84.4% was above the average for cars of a similar age (78.1%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 20.8% in the 120-150k group versus 9.5% in the 30-60k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 6.2% | 45 |
| 2 | Suspension | 4.7% | 34 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 32 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.3% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 17 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.1% | 15 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 23 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 21 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 18 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 12 |
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 | 21.0% | 152 |
| 2 | Tyres | 20.0% | 145 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.3% | 118 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.9% | 50 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.0% | 36 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 3.9% | 28 |
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 | 84 | 9.5% |
| 60-90k | 276 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 250 | 15.6% |
| 120-150k | 77 | 20.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 147 | 15.0% |
| 2022 | 141 | 13.5% |
| 2023 | 154 | 17.5% |
| 2024 | 145 | 15.2% |
| 2025 | 138 | 16.7% |
What to check before buying a 2011 S4
Before buying a 2011 Audi S4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Tyres accounted for 6.2% of tests for this year.
- Tyres (6.2% 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 (4.4% 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 2011 Audi S4s pass their MOT?
84.4% of the 725 2011 Audi S4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 15.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Audi S4?
Tyres, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by suspension (4.7%).
Does the 2011 S4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 9.5% in the 30-60k band to 20.8% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 725 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.