Audi A4 (2004)
2004 Audi A4
CarHunch analysed 31,443 real MOT records for the 2004 Audi A4.
Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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The 2004 Audi A4's 76.4% first-time pass rate sits 3.6 points below the UK average, which is a minor red flag—but the genuinely concerning finding is that 34.4% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point, well above the typical threshold. Petrol and diesel variants perform nearly identically (76.8% vs 76.2%), so fuel choice won't swing your reliability odds either way.
At 111,657 miles median mileage, these A4s have been driven hard for their age, yet still average 4.2 failures and 22.8 advisories per test—suggesting wear-and-tear is routine rather than exceptional. Before making an offer, have an independent pre-purchase inspection focus on suspension, brakes, and emissions systems, and budget for regular maintenance to keep this German saloon roadworthy.
The 2004 Audi A4 has a decent first-time pass rate (76.5%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.
These stats describe 31,443 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.
What tends to go wrong
Across 31,443 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2004.
See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches
Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 31,443 Audi A4 cars.
Before you buy a 2004 Audi A4
Based on MOT data from 31,443 vehicles — here's what to check.
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Check the full MOT history.
34.4% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded -
recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle. -
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Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price.
Inspection
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Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically.
History
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel (59%) | 18,686 | 76.2% | 4.21 |
| Petrol (41%) | 12,738 | 76.8% | 4.23 |
Colour Breakdown
Based on 554,172 Audi A4 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.
Mileage Distribution
Most 2004 Audi A4 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 2004 Audi A4 vehicles fall between 88,739 and 135,000 miles.
2004 Audi A4 — Still on the Road
Numbers are thinning — 18% of 2004 Audi A4s are still active.
Numbers are declining — 4,792 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (18% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.
MOT History Averages
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Compare with another model
See how the 2004 Audi A4 stacks up against a rival.