1998 · 26 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1998 Audi A4 MOT pass rate and common faults

467 MOT tests in 2024. 69.0% passed first time, compared with 64.9% for all cars the same age.

106Above average
Passed first time69.0%
Failed or needed repairs31.1%
Typical mileage at test148,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 467 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt5.1%
  2. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn4.3%
  3. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn3.0%
  4. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play2.6%
  5. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.6%
  6. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault2.6%
  7. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.1%
  8. Position lamp: not working2.1%
  9. Brake discs: significantly and obviously worn1.9%
  10. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits1.9%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Suspension18.6%
  2. Brakes14.8%
  3. Lights & electrics14.3%
  4. Body & chassis9.0%
  5. Emissions & leaks6.2%
  6. Steering5.8%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)5.8%
  8. Tyres4.1%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine21.8%
  2. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened18.8%
  3. Wheel bearings: has excessive play12.8%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn12.8%
  5. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 Audi A4?

In 2024, 69.0% of 1998 Audi A4 cars passed their MOT first time, across 467 tests. The average for all 26-year-old cars was 64.9%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1998 Audi A4?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn. The biggest problem area was suspension.

Is the 1998 Audi A4 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 106, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).