Audi S4 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi S4 car check
Is the Audi S4 reliable? We analysed 27,955 real MOT tests across 2,040 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi S4? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi S4 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi S4.
Audi S4 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi S4. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi S4 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi S4 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi S4 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Audi S4 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Audi S4 Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Audi S4 models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Audi S4 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi S4 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi S4 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi S4 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 59 | 84.7% | 24,059 | 34,391 | 53,122 |
| 2017 | 157 | 88.5% | 31,610 | 42,704 | 60,839 |
| 2015 | 207 | 90.8% | 31,963 | 49,866 | 67,692 |
| 2014 | 843 | 88.3% | 39,067 | 56,380 | 78,986 |
| 2013 | 687 | 88.8% | 41,608 | 63,018 | 86,642 |
| 2012 | 592 | 85.6% | 40,443 | 59,784 | 80,988 |
| 2011 | 1,925 | 86.2% | 42,038 | 65,541 | 89,775 |
| 2010 | 2,253 | 85.9% | 44,348 | 70,811 | 96,027 |
| 2009 | 1,837 | 86.1% | 48,791 | 72,887 | 97,492 |
| 2008 | 314 | 84.1% | 41,379 | 64,619 | 83,106 |
| 2007 | 1,872 | 81.7% | 43,108 | 65,756 | 87,950 |
| 2006 | 2,839 | 81.0% | 48,690 | 70,806 | 100,140 |
| 2005 | 3,553 | 80.0% | 50,756 | 73,849 | 97,673 |
| 2004 | 4,291 | 78.9% | 51,196 | 74,502 | 97,268 |
| 2003 | 416 | 80.8% | 61,295 | 87,410 | 108,328 |
| 2001 | 273 | 73.3% | 82,138 | 111,830 | 137,063 |
| 2000 | 2,125 | 71.3% | 88,728 | 114,279 | 145,865 |
| 1999 | 2,643 | 72.5% | 93,495 | 122,706 | 155,716 |
| 1998 | 840 | 72.5% | 98,074 | 122,696 | 149,423 |
How Long Does a Audi S4 Last?
Based on 2,040 Audi S4 vehicles on UK roads.
Audi S4 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi S4 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Audi S4
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.8% MOT pass rate from 207 tests
71.3% MOT pass rate from 2,125 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi S4 is 2015, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.8% across 207 tests. The 2000 model year has the lowest pass rate at 71.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi S4 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S4 THIS CAR | 80.5% | 27,955 | 78,576 mi | 28 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 |
| Lambretta LI150 | 90% | 14,980 | 3,032 mi | 68 yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi S4 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi S4 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Audi S4Should you buy a used Audi S4?
The Audi S4 has an overall MOT pass rate of 80.5% across 27,955 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 S4 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (527 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (327), and position lamp(s) not working (306). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Audi S4 with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Audi S4 owner drives around 5,153 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 S4 models stay on UK roads for around 28 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.