1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Audi A4 MOT pass rate and common faults

690 MOT tests in 2024. 66.2% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

105Above average
Passed first time66.2%
Failed or needed repairs33.8%
Typical mileage at test155,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 690 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn6.2%
  2. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt6.1%
  3. Track rod end: ball joint has excessive play4.1%
  4. SRS malfunction indicator lamp: warning lamp indicates a fault3.5%
  5. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.9%
  6. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.9%
  7. Catalyst emissions: carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits2.8%
  8. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%
  9. Position lamp: not working2.5%
  10. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively2.3%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics19.7%
  2. Suspension19.4%
  3. Brakes17.1%
  4. Body & chassis9.7%
  5. Emissions & leaks9.0%
  6. Steering6.5%
  7. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.4%
  8. Tyres4.8%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Brake discs: in such a condition that it is seriously weakened20.1%
  2. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine17.8%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm14.6%
  4. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn10.3%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure10.3%

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: suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn. 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 1999 Audi A4?

In 2024, 66.2% of 1999 Audi A4 cars passed their MOT first time, across 690 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Audi A4?

The most common failure reasons were suspension arms - ball joint: ball joint excessively worn; joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; track rod end: ball joint has excessive play. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Audi A4 reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 105, which is above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).