2014 Audi S4 — MOT failures & pass rate
437 MOT tests on the 2014 Audi S4 are in this dataset, and 88.1% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (15.5% fail rate), the 2014 S4 comes out 3.6pp better. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (5.9%) and lighting & signalling (3.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and headlamp — tread depth alone was recorded 10 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2014 S4 fails 7.2% of the time in the 30-60k band and 11.1% at 120-150k, a spread of only 3.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 19.2% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.9% | 26 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 3.7% | 16 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 9 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.1% | 5 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 4 |
| 6 | Visibility | 0.5% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 10 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 10 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 7 |
| 4 | Shock absorbers | 5 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim not tested | 4 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 3 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.2% | 84 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.4% | 54 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.3% | 45 |
| 4 | Other defects | 7.8% | 34 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.0% | 13 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 10 |
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 | 138 | 7.2% |
| 60-90k | 177 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 71 | 19.7% |
| 120-150k | 36 | 11.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 88 | 11.4% |
| 2022 | 84 | 8.3% |
| 2023 | 89 | 13.5% |
| 2024 | 88 | 14.8% |
| 2025 | 88 | 11.4% |
What to check before buying a 2014 S4
On a 2014 S4, tyres is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 5.9% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Tyres (5.9% 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 (3.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.1% 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.
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 2014 Audi S4s pass their MOT?
88.1% of the 437 2014 Audi S4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Audi S4?
Tyres, recorded in 5.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (3.7%).
Does the 2014 S4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.2% in the 30-60k band to 11.1% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 437 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.