CarVerify

Audi S4 Avant Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

Free Audi S4 Avant car check

Is the Audi S4 Avant reliable? We analysed 8,071 real MOT tests across 545 vehicles to find out.

Got a specific Audi S4 Avant? Enter the reg for a free check:

Free basic check Reports from £4.99 Results in seconds
Data last updated: · Based on 8,071 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
81.7%
Typical Mileage
83,553mi
Annual Mileage
5,956mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
26yrs

The Audi S4 Avant 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 Avant.

Audi S4 Avant Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Audi S4 Avant. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Audi S4 Avant MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Audi S4 Avant to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

87.6%
2012
88.8%
2011
85.2%
2010
86.5%
2009
79.7%
2008
82.2%
2007
83.1%
2006
82.9%
2005
78.2%
2004
75.5%
2003
79.7%
2000
70.8%
1999

Audi S4 Avant Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Audi S4 Avant fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 156
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 75
position lamp(s) not working 68
Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 53
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 47
Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement 47
Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure 40
Registration plate lamp not working 37
coil spring broken 34

Audi S4 Avant Common Faults & Problems

These are the most common serious faults found on Audi S4 Avant models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 42

Audi S4 Avant Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Audi S4 Avant owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
3,422 mi/yr
Typical
5,956 mi/yr
Average
6,862 mi/yr
Heavy usage
9,298 mi/yr

Audi S4 Avant MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi S4 Avant year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
2012 403 87.6% 43,777 69,652 93,596
2011 525 88.8% 43,756 65,741 92,935
2010 993 85.2% 50,646 75,238 97,718
2009 660 86.5% 51,701 77,894 102,981
2008 187 79.7% 38,892 68,027 94,427
2007 383 82.2% 56,675 85,465 111,959
2006 781 83.1% 50,188 81,632 107,170
2005 1,035 82.9% 61,313 86,880 116,588
2004 1,495 78.2% 61,917 88,332 112,712
2003 1,217 75.5% 68,424 95,732 122,712
2000 133 79.7% 60,367 100,873 138,596
1999 65 70.8% 105,191 134,422 181,583

How Long Does a Audi S4 Avant Last?

Based on 545 Audi S4 Avant vehicles on UK roads.

Average
14.8 years
Median
15.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
26 years

Audi S4 Avant Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Audi S4 Avant MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
83,553 mi
75th Percentile
111,030 mi
95th Percentile
157,627 mi
Max Recorded
440,226 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Audi S4 Avant

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

Best year
2011

88.8% MOT pass rate from 525 tests

Year to avoid
1999

70.8% MOT pass rate from 65 tests

The best year to buy a used Audi S4 Avant is 2011, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 88.8% across 525 tests. The 1999 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.8% — 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 Avant Compare?

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

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Audi S4 Avant THIS CAR 81.7% 8,071 83,553 mi 26 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
Harley Davidson Fxstbi 90.8% 2,553 14,076 mi 22 yrs

Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi S4 Avant outperforms both on MOT reliability.

Found a Audi S4 Avant 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 S4 Avant

Should you buy a used Audi S4 Avant?

The Audi S4 Avant has an overall MOT pass rate of 81.7% across 8,071 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 Avant are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (156 recorded failures), tyre has ply or cords exposed (75), and position lamp(s) not working (68). 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 Avant 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 Avant owner drives around 5,956 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 Avant models stay on UK roads for around 26 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 S4 Avant — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Audi S4 Avant reliable?
Based on 8,071 MOT tests, the Audi S4 Avant has a 81.7% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Audi S4 Avant?
The most common MOT failures are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, tyre has ply or cords exposed, and position lamp(s) not working. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Audi S4 Avant do per year?
The typical Audi S4 Avant does around 5,956 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Audi S4 Avant last?
Most Audi S4 Avant models stay on UK roads for around 26 years based on our analysis of 545 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Audi S4 Avant?
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 S4 Avant?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Audi S4 Avant is 2011 with a 88.8% pass rate across 525 tests.