Used car guide

1997 Audi A4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 1997 Audi A4s, from 218 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 218 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

218MOT tests in 2025
60%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 67%)
5,200typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for brake discs

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1997 Audi A4s than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Brake discs2.5× usual
    Audi A4
    23.4% All 1997 cars
    9.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.3%, against 0.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints3.4× usual
    Audi A4
    15.1% All 1997 cars
    4.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 1.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Wheel bearings2.5× usual
    Audi A4
    16.5% All 1997 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 1.1% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Coil springs2.1× usual
    Audi A4
    14.2% All 1997 cars
    6.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.2%, against 0.8% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

By area

The share of 1997 Audi A4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    48% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    44% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    31% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    24% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    17% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

Looking at an Audi A4?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023336Tyres 21%
20226,693Tyres 29%
20217,083Tyres 28%
20208,313Tyres 29%
201913,101Tyres 30%
201813,511Tyres 28%
201721,043Tyres 28%
201621,710Tyres 29%
201516,066Tyres 31%
201416,514Tyres 32%
201315,554Suspension 34%
201212,890Suspension 37%
201113,180Suspension 45%
201012,096Suspension 45%
200911,513Suspension 47%
200813,154Suspension 52%
200712,460Suspension 52%
200610,474Suspension 53%
20055,707Suspension 50%
20045,035Suspension 52%
20032,822Suspension 53%
20021,481Suspension 55%
2001691Suspension 49%
2000753Suspension 46%
1999631Suspension 48%
1998386Suspension 49%
1996156Suspension 47%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1997 Audi A4s registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score