2012 Audi A4 MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 70.9% of Audi A4s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. Across 40,217 A4 first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, suspension and tyres.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Audi A4s first used in 2012 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2012 Audi A4 MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, A4s first used in 2012 against all cars first used in 2012 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the A4 figure was 7.4 points higher.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2012 A4 | All cars first used 2012 | A4 first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 75.6% | 68.8% | 14,427 |
| 2022 | 74.1% | 67.4% | 14,237 |
| 2023 | 73.4% | 65.6% | 13,902 |
| 2024 | 71.3% | 64.3% | 13,441 |
| 2025 | 70.9% | 63.5% | 12,874 |
Common 2012 Audi A4 MOT failures
Share of the 11,302 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 12.3% | 1,393 |
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 9.5% | 1,079 |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | 9.4% | 1,060 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 9.3% | 1,049 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 9.1% | 1,023 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for an A4 in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2012 Audi A4 before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Tyres. Worth checking the tread depth across the whole width of each tyre, and the sidewalls for cuts, cracks and bulges.
Common 2012 Audi A4 MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2012 A4s, as a share of all 40,217 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 20.2% | 8,126 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 15.2% | 6,126 |
| Brake pads: wearing thin | 8.9% | 3,589 |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened | 8.2% | 3,299 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 7.9% | 3,179 |
Questions about the 2012 Audi A4 MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2012 Audi A4?
In 2025, 70.9% of A4s first used in 2012 passed their MOT first time, against 63.5% for all cars first used in 2012. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2012 A4 most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 36.2% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), suspension (31.0%) and tyres (28.0%). The single most common item was “Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm” (12.3%).
How often does a 2012 Audi A4 fail its MOT?
In 2025, 29.1% of first tests on A4s first used in 2012 did not pass first time: 24.2% failed, and a further 4.9% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 11,302 of 40,217 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2012 Audi A4 MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 20.2% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (15.2%), “Brake pads: wearing thin” (8.9%), “Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened” (8.2%) and “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (7.9%).
Is a 2012 Audi A4 reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 75.6% in 2021 to 70.9% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2012
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2012 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2012 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2012 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2012 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2012 A4?
The numbers above cover every A4 first used in 2012 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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