2004 Audi A4 MOT pass rate: 67.5% (19,594 tests)
Is the 2004 A4 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2004-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 67.4% +3.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 66.5% +2.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 69.0% +3.7 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2004 A4
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 5,529 | 24.2% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5,044 | 22.1% |
| 3 | Brakes | 4,493 | 19.7% |
| 4 | Tyres | 2,036 | 8.9% |
| 5 | Body, chassis, structure | 1,661 | 7.3% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 1,577 | 6.9% |
All A4 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2,760 | 68.1% | +1.6 pts | 144,997 |
| 2002 | 6,064 | 66.5% | +0.9 pts | 149,856 |
| 2003 | 11,458 | 67.6% | +2.6 pts | 143,484 |
| 2004 (this page) | 19,594 | 67.5% | +3.2 pts | 142,220 |
| 2005 | 22,713 | 68.9% | +4.4 pts | 136,716 |
| 2006 | 38,466 | 69.2% | +4.7 pts | 133,471 |
| 2007 | 44,714 | 70.2% | +5.1 pts | 133,551 |
| 2008 | 45,320 | 70.2% | +5.1 pts | 135,469 |
| 2009 | 37,963 | 71.5% | +5.1 pts | 136,026 |
| 2010 | 38,587 | 72.9% | +5.6 pts | 132,423 |
| 2011 | 40,807 | 75.1% | +6.0 pts | 126,868 |
| 2012 | 39,888 | 77.0% | +5.7 pts | 117,216 |
| 2013 | 47,511 | 77.9% | +4.5 pts | 106,392 |
| 2014 | 50,017 | 78.3% | +2.4 pts | 98,391 |
| 2015 | 48,644 | 79.5% | +0.8 pts | 87,904 |
| 2016 | 65,415 | 81.8% | +0.4 pts | 76,904 |
| 2017 | 62,938 | 83.4% | -0.6 pts | 65,817 |
| 2018 | 40,229 | 84.8% | -1.6 pts | 52,900 |
| 2019 | 38,252 | 87.3% | -1.1 pts | 43,844 |
| 2020 | 17,679 | 89.4% | -0.5 pts | 35,208 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Audi A4 years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
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- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2004 Audi A4 reliable?
2004-registered examples passed 67.5% of their MOT tests (19,594 tests, 2023–2025), +3.2 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 22 years old with a median 142,220 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2004 A4?
The median tested example shows 142,220 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Should I buy the petrol or diesel 2004 A4?
In this cohort petrols pass 69.8% of tests against 65.6% for diesels. Mileage and use can explain part of that gap, so treat it as a reason to inspect DPF and emissions history, not a fuel-type verdict.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.