2012 Audi S4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 400 MOT tests, the 2012 Audi S4 recorded an 86.3% pass rate. That is 4.7 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 18.5%. Failures cluster in suspension, tyres and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (6.0%) and tyres (5.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, headlamp aim and pins and bushes — shock absorbers alone was recorded 13 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 4.9% in the 30-60k band and 13.7% in the 90-120k band, a 8.8-point spread — more than double.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 20.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 6.0% | 24 |
| 2 | Tyres | 5.8% | 23 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 18 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 8 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.3% | 5 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.8% | 3 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 13 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 8 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 6 |
| 5 | Individual direction indicators | 6 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 6 |
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 | 20.8% | 83 |
| 2 | Tyres | 16.5% | 66 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.0% | 60 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.2% | 29 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 28 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 4.5% | 18 |
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 | 61 | 4.9% |
| 60-90k | 181 | 14.9% |
| 90-120k | 124 | 13.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 83 | 15.7% |
| 2022 | 71 | 9.9% |
| 2023 | 82 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 80 | 10.0% |
| 2025 | 84 | 15.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 S4
On a 2012 S4, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (6.0% 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.
- Tyres (5.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (4.5% 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 2012 Audi S4s pass their MOT?
86.3% of the 400 2012 Audi S4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Audi S4?
Suspension, recorded in 6.0% of tests, followed by tyres (5.8%).
Does the 2012 S4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.9% in the 30-60k band to 13.7% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 400 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.