2000 Audi A4 petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Audi A4 petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Audi A4 petrol than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
  Audi A4

  13.7% All 2000 cars

  5.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 6.9%, against 2.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.9× usual
  Audi A4

  12.6% All 2000 cars

  6.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.3% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.1× usual
  Audi A4

  9.3% All 2000 cars

  4.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 9.2%, against 4.5% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for an engine warning light.

• Ball joint1.8× usual
  Audi A4

  9.9% All 2000 cars

  5.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 2.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Wheel bearings1.8× usual
  Audi A4

  9.4% All 2000 cars

  5.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 1.7%, against 1.1% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Common 2000 Audi A4 petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Audi A4 petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  40% 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.

• Brakes
  33% 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
  30% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Tyres
  25% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  21% 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 an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  19% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2000 Audi A4 petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Air conditioning faults

  All engines

  There are many reports of air conditioning faults on this A4.

  At the viewing: Turn the air con to its coldest setting and make sure it blows properly cold within a few minutes.

  Source: What Car?: Audi A4 (2000-2005) advice

• Gearbox synchromesh wear

  Manual gearbox

  Some manual gearboxes have synchromesh problems.

  At the viewing: Change up and down through every gear, quickly and slowly. Be wary of crunching or gears that are hard to select.

  Source: What Car?: Audi A4 (2000-2005) advice

• Ignition coil failures (1.8 turbo)

  1.8 turbo petrol

  The 1.8 turbo petrol can suffer ignition coil problems, which cause misfires.

  At the viewing: Check the engine runs smoothly at idle and pulls cleanly, with no flashing engine light.

  Source: What Car?: Audi A4 (2000-2005) advice

• Front suspension wear

  All engines

  A few higher-mileage cars have front suspension problems.

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks or clonks over bumps, and check the steering feels tight.

  Source: What Car?: Audi A4 (2000-2005) advice

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Audi A4 petrol

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.5× as often on the 2000 Audi A4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2000 Audi A4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the exhaust emissions (catalyst)? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2000 Audi A4 petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?