Used car guide

2011 Audi S4: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Audi S4s, from 117 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: only 117 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

117MOT tests in 2025
77%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
7,000typical miles a year
22%had suspension flagged

What gets flagged at MOT

The share of 2011 Audi S4 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    22% 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.

  • Tyres
    21% 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.

  • Brakes
    20% 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
    15% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    9% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    7% 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 S4?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2010125Suspension 33%
2006101Suspension 35%
2004105Suspension 33%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Audi S4s registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score