2002 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 18,454 MOT tests analysed for the 2002 Audi A4, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 73.0% was below the average for executive cars of a similar age (75.3%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 29.1% in the 150k+ group versus 12.1% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.6% | 2,879 |
| 2 | Suspension | 13.3% | 2,460 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.0% | 2,389 |
| 4 | Tyres | 6.2% | 1,139 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.9% | 911 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.7% | 860 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 1,431 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,160 |
| 3 | Flexible brake hoses | 1,132 |
| 4 | Ball joint | 856 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 781 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 769 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 44.1% | 8,138 |
| 2 | Brakes | 32.7% | 6,036 |
| 3 | Tyres | 28.8% | 5,307 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.7% | 3,643 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 19.0% | 3,501 |
| 6 | Other defects | 14.2% | 2,614 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 66 | 12.1% |
| 30-60k | 452 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 1,608 | 23.1% |
| 90-120k | 2,984 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 3,759 | 27.0% |
| 150k+ | 9,547 | 29.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 11,342 | 28.2% |
| Petrol | 7,112 | 25.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,155 | 28.1% |
| 2022 | 4,516 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 3,399 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 2,536 | 27.1% |
| 2025 | 1,848 | 25.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 A4
Before buying a 2002 Audi A4, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (13.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (13.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2002 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
73.0% of the 18,454 2002 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.6% of tests, followed by suspension (13.3%).
Does the 2002 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.1% in the 0-30k band to 29.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,454 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.