Audi

Audi Rs4 (2006)

535 real MOT outcomes analysed • 86.1% first-time pass rate

2006 Audi Rs4

CarHunch analysed 535 real MOT records for the 2006 Audi Rs4. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2006 Audi RS4 passes its MOT first time at 86.1%, which is a solid 6 percentage points above the UK average—a reassuring sign for a nearly two-decade-old performance car. However, nearly 23% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is a genuine concern and worth investigating thoroughly on any example you're considering.

At 68,000 miles median mileage, these RS4s show relatively restrained use for their age, suggesting many have been cherished rather than thrashed. The average vehicle racks up 2.32 failures and 15.6 advisories per test, pointing to the wear and tear you'd expect of a complex turbocharged engine and performance chassis—budget for regular maintenance and have any purchase inspected by an Audi specialist before committing.

The 2006 Audi Rs4 passes its MOT first time at roughly the UK average rate (86.1%) — solid but worth checking this vehicle's history carefully.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.
First-time pass
86.1%
UK average ~80%
Around average
Dangerous (ever)
22.8%
At least once in MOT history
Check this vehicle
Avg failures / car
2.32
Over 15.3 tests on record
High
Typical mileage
68k
Middle half: 51k–84k
For context
Good baseline reliability. A 86.1% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.
🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 15.6 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.
🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 535 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.

Average reliability — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 535 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 53.3%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …
Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.
Suspension & steering 36.9%
Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil · Offside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil
Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.
Other issues 35.1%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A'
Brake wear 27.9%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2006.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 535 Audi Rs4 cars.

UK

Before you buy a 2006 Audi Rs4

Based on MOT data from 535 vehicles — here's what to check.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. 22.8% 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.
  • 🔍 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 ClickMechanic
  • 📄 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 carVertical Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Petrol (99%) 531 86.1% 2.33

Colour Breakdown

Based on 1,631 Audi Rs4 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 34.3%
559
Blue 25.3%
413
Grey 19.8%
323
Silver 8%
131
Red 7.1%
116
White 3.2%
52
Green 0.9%
15
Purple 0.7%
12
Yellow 0.6%
10

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Audi Rs4 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.

68,238
typical
51,147
low mileage
83,764
high mileage

Half of all 2006 Audi Rs4 vehicles fall between 51,147 and 83,764 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?
Under 51,147 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.
51,147–83,764 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Audi Rs4s sit.
Over 113,081 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2006 Audi Rs4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 68% of 2006 Audi Rs4s are still active.

299 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 68% of the peak remain.

439 299 2014 2025

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

15.3
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
2.32
Avg failures per vehicle
15.6
Avg advisories per vehicle
Other model years — Audi Rs4: All Rs4 years → Which year to buy? →
2007 2013 2014

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Average reliability — agree?