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What to check: Audi A4

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Ranked across all years of the Audi A4, from its own MOT record and from what owners report. Tick it off at the car.

From this model's MOT record

The physical checks its own defect data says are worth your time, most telling first.

Bushes and ball jointsRuns high on this modelDrive slowly over broken tarmac with the windows down and listen for clonks from either end. Back at the car, have someone rock the steering wheel while you rest a hand on each front wheel; play you can feel through the tyre is a worn joint.Recorded on 19.2% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 5.9%

Coil springsRuns high on this modelLook through the wheel spokes at the bottom coil of each spring; when springs snap it is usually there, and the break is visible. Step back and check the car sits level too. A dropped corner is often a broken spring.Recorded on 7.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 1.4%

DampersLook for oil misting on the damper body behind each wheel, then push down hard on each corner of the car. It should settle in one bounce. A floaty or crashy ride on the test drive is the same fault felt from the driver's seat.Recorded on 2.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.3%

Rubber boots and gaitersRuns high on this modelOn full steering lock, look in behind each front wheel at the concertina rubber boots on the driveshafts and steering rack. Splits, or grease flung around the arch, mean dirt is getting into a joint that costs far more than the boot protecting it.Recorded on 1.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.6%

Warning lights on ignitionRuns high on this modelTurn the ignition on without starting the engine and watch the dash. Every warning light should appear, then go out once it is running. Be more suspicious of a light that never comes on at all than of one that stays on; warning bulbs have been known to vanish before a sale.Recorded on 1.1% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 0.4%

LeaksLook at the ground where the car usually stands, then glance under the engine after your test drive. Fresh drips of oil or coolant are the cheapest warning you will ever get about a car.Recorded on 0.8% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Worth doing on any used car

These judge the seller's upkeep rather than the model.

Tyres, all fourCheck the tread across the full width of each tyre, inner edge included, and look for cracking and mismatched brands. A set of decent tyres is £500 or more on most cars, which makes this the easiest money to take off a price. If the pressure warning light is on, budget for sensors too.Recorded on 27.5% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 20.1%

Pads and discsLook through the wheel spokes at the brake disc. A pronounced lip on its outer edge, or a rusty and scored face, means discs and pads are due all round, a few hundred pounds on most cars. A haggling point rather than a reason to walk away.Recorded on 11.3% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 8.7%

Windscreen and wipersScan the glass in daylight for chips, especially in the driver's line of sight where even a small one can fail the MOT. Run the washers and check the wipers clear without smearing.Recorded on 2.6% of tests at age 6-9 · class average 2.0%

Because of what owners report

Drawn from the owner reports rather than the MOT data. These are the model-specific ones.

Check the oil level and ask for fuel/oil receipts showing top-ups between services.Needing oil more than once every 1,000 miles points to worn piston rings on the TFSI petrol engines.

Start the engine stone cold and listen for a metallic rattle from the front for a second or two.A fading rattle on cold start is the classic sign of a worn timing chain tensioner on 2.0 TFSI cars.

On a CVT (Multitronic) automatic, pull away gently from cold and again once warm.Judder, flared revs, or a 'rubber band' feel means the Multitronic box is due trouble, possibly soon.

On a manual diesel, feel for shudder or rattle through the clutch pedal at idle and on light take-up.That's the usual first sign of dual-mass flywheel wear, and dealers often wave it off as normal.

Ask how the car is mainly used and check for a DPF warning light or history of forced regenerations.A diesel used mostly for short local trips is far more likely to have a clogged DPF or EGR valve.

Listen for creaks or knocks from the front suspension over speed bumps, and check MOT advisories for bearings, ball joints or track rod ends.Suspension wear is the single most common thing this model fails or gets advised on at MOT time.

Read the full MOT advisory history, not just the pass/fail line.The same advisory repeated year after year means nobody has actually fixed it.

Full Audi A4 reliability report