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Audi QUATTRO Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Audi QUATTRO car check

Is the Audi QUATTRO reliable? We analysed 20,748 real MOT tests across 2,144 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 20,748 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
75.5%
Typical Mileage
111,284mi
Annual Mileage
919mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
44yrs

The Audi QUATTRO is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, position lamp(s) not working and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi QUATTRO.

Audi QUATTRO Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Audi QUATTRO. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Audi QUATTRO MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Audi QUATTRO to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

82.4%
2011
80.5%
2010
86.8%
2009
79.1%
2008
76.7%
2007
74%
2006
85.9%
2005
74.3%
2004
75.8%
2003
71.6%
2002
66.3%
2001
69.6%
2000
67.3%
1999
70%
1997
60%
1996
63.1%
1995
69.4%
1994
64.1%
1993
67.4%
1992
80.1%
1991

Audi QUATTRO Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Audi QUATTRO fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 471
position lamp(s) not working 471
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 444
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 416
Headlamp aim too low 389
Brake pipe excessively corroded 373
brake binding 355
parking brake recording little or no effort 332
fog lamp not working 331
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content excessive 324

Audi QUATTRO Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Audi QUATTRO owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
233 mi/yr
Typical
919 mi/yr
Average
2,791 mi/yr
Heavy usage
3,163 mi/yr

Audi QUATTRO MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi QUATTRO year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2011 74 82.4% 31,540 60,084 88,852
2010 87 80.5% 52,556 73,346 98,120
2009 174 86.8% 50,258 71,802 95,140
2008 196 79.1% 52,245 77,552 111,164
2007 146 76.7% 43,952 90,494 125,149
2006 123 74.0% 85,090 109,262 141,788
2005 163 85.9% 37,568 70,728 83,860
2004 487 74.3% 60,242 88,042 115,246
2003 331 75.8% 59,738 80,874 109,587
2002 557 71.6% 63,216 90,371 114,540
2001 166 66.3% 60,938 82,840 107,413
2000 237 69.6% 88,980 116,340 156,031
1999 162 67.3% 95,826 122,190 160,556
1997 60 70.0% 23,825 112,901 167,253
1996 60 60.0% 129,970 164,681 173,741
1995 575 63.1% 99,676 126,399 147,078
1994 307 69.4% 94,741 123,117 142,313
1993 320 64.1% 113,657 131,685 148,371
1992 433 67.4% 109,847 127,764 149,486
1991 739 80.1% 63,171 92,180 125,245

How Long Does a Audi QUATTRO Last?

Based on 2,144 Audi QUATTRO vehicles on UK roads.

Average
27.5 years
Median
28.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
44 years

Audi QUATTRO Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Audi QUATTRO MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
111,284 mi
75th Percentile
141,987 mi
95th Percentile
198,133 mi
Max Recorded
982,721 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Audi QUATTRO

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
2009

86.8% MOT pass rate from 174 tests

Year to avoid
1996

60.0% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

The best year to buy a used Audi QUATTRO is 2009, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 86.8% across 174 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 60.0% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Audi QUATTRO Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Audi QUATTRO THIS CAR 75.5% 20,748 111,284 mi 44 yrs
Audi A3 78% 7,415,025 78,776 mi 29 yrs
Audi A4 76.1% 7,096,957 96,834 mi 31 yrs
Audi A6 78.4% 2,724,792 98,890 mi 31 yrs
Honda Hornet 84.1% 6,744 19,308 mi 29 yrs

Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi QUATTRO trails behind on MOT reliability.

Found a Audi QUATTRO you like?

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Should you buy a used Audi QUATTRO?

The Audi QUATTRO has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.5% across 20,748 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.

The most common problems on the Audi QUATTRO are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (471 recorded failures), position lamp(s) not working (471), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (444). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.

A typical Audi QUATTRO owner drives around 919 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.

In terms of longevity, most Audi QUATTRO models stay on UK roads for around 44 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.

Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.

Audi QUATTRO — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Audi QUATTRO reliable?
Based on 20,748 MOT tests, the Audi QUATTRO has a 75.5% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Audi QUATTRO?
The most common MOT failures are parking brake: efficiency below requirements, position lamp(s) not working, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Audi QUATTRO do per year?
The typical Audi QUATTRO does around 919 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Audi QUATTRO last?
Most Audi QUATTRO models stay on UK roads for around 44 years based on our analysis of 2,144 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Audi QUATTRO?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Audi QUATTRO?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Audi QUATTRO is 2009 with a 86.8% pass rate across 174 tests.