Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2006 Audi S4?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2006 Audi S4?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2006 Audi S4?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2006 Audi S4 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

36% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2006 Audi S4 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 174 vehicles, the 2006 Audi S4 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 82.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2006 Audi S4?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2006 Audi S4 are: Oil leak, but not excessive (88.7% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (66.5% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (60.4% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2006 Audi S4?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Audi S4 (2006)

174 real MOT outcomes analysed • 82.9% first-time pass rate

2006 Audi S4

CarHunch analysed 174 real MOT records for the 2006 Audi S4. 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 Compare Models

The 2006 Audi S4 passes its MOT slightly above the UK average at 82.4%, which is respectable for an 18-year-old performance car—but the fact that over a third (35.6%) have recorded dangerous defects at some point is a serious red flag for potential buyers. This suggests structural or safety-critical failures are more common than you'd want to see, making pre-purchase inspection non-negotiable.

At 73,961 miles on average, these S4s are running reasonably low mileage for their age, yet they're still generating 3 failures and nearly 20 advisories per test on average. The combination of high advisory counts and elevated dangerous defect prevalence points to cumulative wear on complex turbo and suspension systems typical of high-performance Audis. If you're considering one, budget for serious mechanical work and get a full diagnostic on the turbocharger, intercooler pipework, and suspension geometry before committing.

We have limited data for the 2006 Audi S4 — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

⚠️ 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

82.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

35.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

Over 15.9 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

69k

Middle half: 53k–90k

For context

These stats describe 174 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.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 174 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 88.7%

Oil leak, but not excessive · Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · …

Tyre wear 66.5%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside 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 27.6%

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement · Offside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

Harder to spot without a ramp — this is a good reason to book a pre-purchase inspection.

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 174 Audi S4 cars.

Before you buy a 2006 Audi S4

Based on MOT data from 174 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 35.6% 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 →
📄 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 Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Petrol (99%)	172	82.9%	3.01

Mileage Distribution

Most 2006 Audi S4 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.

69,389

typical

52,743

low mileage

90,026

high mileage

Half of all 2006 Audi S4 vehicles fall between 52,743 and 90,026 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 52,743 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.

✓ 52,743–90,026 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2006 Audi S4s sit.

⚠ Over 121,535 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 S4 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 68% of 2006 Audi S4s are still active.

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

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

15.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

19.3

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi S4: All S4 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2006 Audi S4 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing