Audi Quattro
From 1,299 MOT tests. Above average for its class.
Common MOT failure categories
Pass rate by registration year
What goes wrong?
The most common MOT failure reasons are the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, emissions levels exceed default limits and windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen. The top issue, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, caused 37 failures in 2024. Checking tread depth (1.6mm legal minimum, 3mm recommended) before your test can save an unnecessary fail. You can check prices at Black Circles if you need replacements. If you need repairs before retesting, sites like BookMyGarage let you compare local prices.
| the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | 37 |
| emissions levels exceed default limits | 29 |
| windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | 23 |
| wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen | 14 |
| a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn | 13 |
| a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 12 |
| a tyre seriously damaged | 11 |
| parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement | 10 |
| significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake | 10 |
| a direction indicator lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | 10 |
How serious are these failures?
Not all MOT failures are equal. Only 33.1% of Quattro failures are serious (safety or roadside), below the 44.4% average. When this car fails its MOT, it's more likely to be lights, wipers, or emissions than something dangerous. When it does fail, the average repair bill is around £84.
Audi Quattro on UK roads
The fleet is shrinking: 17 scrapped or exported in the past year with only 9 newly registered, a net loss of 8. Now at 64.7% of its peak (2,209 in 1994 Q4).
Quarterly breakdown
| Quarter | On road | SORN | New | Gone | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q3 | 435 | 994 | +3 | -0 | +3 |
| 2025 Q2 | 435 | 991 | +2 | -0 | +11 |
| 2025 Q1 | 316 | 1,099 | +4 | -0 | +6 |
| 2024 Q4 | 320 | 1,089 | +0 | -17 | -17 |
| 2024 Q3 | 407 | 1,019 | +5 | -8 | -3 |
| 2024 Q2 | 416 | 1,013 | +1 | -0 | +63 |
| 2024 Q1 | 323 | 1,043 | +2 | -61 | -59 |
| 2023 Q4 | 297 | 1,128 | +0 | -0 | +7 |
3 variants on the road
| Variant | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quattro Rhd | Petrol | 226 | 52% |
| Quattro Turbo | Petrol | 128 | 29% |
| Quattro | Petrol | 81 | 19% |
Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics, 2025 Q3. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0.
By registration year
| Year | Pass rate | Top failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 86.2% | the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning |
| 1989 | 85.8% | a transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot severely deteriorated, steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc |
| 1988 | 85.6% | a rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources, a flexible brake hose excessively damaged, deteriorated, chafed, twisted or stretched |
| 1987 | 92.4% | a tyre seriously damaged, a suspension pin, bush or joint likely to become detached |
3 earlier years
| 1986 | 88.2% | emissions levels exceed default limits, significant brake effort recorded with no brake applied indicating a binding brake |
| 1985 | 80.7% | emissions levels exceed default limits, windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen |
| 1984 | 96.9% | fuel system leaking excessively or a risk of fire, fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users |
Typical mileage
Half of all Quattros tested had between 83,233 and 133,723 miles on the clock. A significant number are high-mileage vehicles.
At 110,064 median miles, the Quattro has 0.012 failures per 10,000 miles driven.
Other Audi models
Common questions
What is the Audi Quattro MOT pass rate?
The Audi Quattro has a 86.9% MOT pass rate based on 1,299 real MOT tests. This is above the national average.
What are common MOT failures on a Audi Quattro?
The most common MOT failure on the Audi Quattro is the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, which caused 37 failures. Other common issues include emissions levels exceed default limits.
How many Audi Quattros are on UK roads?
There are 435 Audi Quattros currently licensed on UK roads, with 994 on SORN.
What is the typical mileage of a Audi Quattro at MOT?
The median mileage at MOT for a Audi Quattro is 110,064 miles. The middle 50% of vehicles tested have between 83,233 and 133,723 miles.
Buying a used Quattro?
Start with the free tools. Look up the specific vehicle's MOT history on GOV.UK The mileage at each test will show if it's been wound back, and the advisory history tells you what's wearing. Cross-reference that against the typical failures above to see if anything looks unusual for this model.
The free data won't tell you about outstanding finance, theft markers, or write-off history. For that, you need a vehicle history check This is especially important on a private sale where you have fewer legal protections.
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MOT data from DVSA anonymised test results, 2024 test year. Fleet data from DfT vehicle licensing statistics. Crown copyright, OGL v3.0. MOT pass rates are statistical summaries of test outcomes, not assessments of individual vehicle safety or condition. Always inspect a vehicle and check its full MOT history before purchasing. See terms of use.