Comparison · executive cars
BMW 3 Series vs Audi A4: which is more reliable?
The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 106 for the Audi A4, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 724,013 real MOT tests in 2024.
BMW 3 Series
Audi A4
By age
MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).
| Age at test | BMW 3 Series | Audi A4 |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 years | 100About average | 102About average |
| 6–9 years | 108Above average | 102Above average |
| 10–14 years | 110Well above average | 110Well above average |
| 15+ years | 115Well above average | 109Well above average |
Year by year
Share that passed first time, same registration year.
| Year | BMW 3 Series | Audi A4 |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 85.0% | 87.7% |
| 2020 | 86.0% | 88.6% |
| 2019 | 86.9% | 86.5% |
| 2018 | 86.5% | 83.5% |
| 2017 | 85.2% | 81.1% |
| 2016 | 83.6% | 78.5% |
| 2015 | 81.1% | 75.7% |
| 2014 | 77.0% | 73.9% |
| 2013 | 73.4% | 72.9% |
| 2012 | 68.9% | 71.3% |
| 2011 | 68.7% | 69.4% |
| 2010 | 67.4% | 67.7% |
| 2009 | 66.0% | 65.7% |
| 2008 | 67.4% | 63.1% |
| 2007 | 67.3% | 62.5% |
| 2006 | 66.0% | 61.4% |
| 2005 | 65.0% | 61.0% |
| 2004 | 64.7% | 59.0% |
| 2003 | 65.6% | 58.3% |
| 2002 | 65.7% | 58.4% |
| 2001 | 64.6% | 59.8% |
| 2000 | 65.0% | 63.0% |
| 1999 | 66.2% | 66.2% |
| 1998 | 67.7% | 69.0% |
| 1997 | 67.8% | 62.1% |
| 1996 | 69.1% | 69.2% |
Problem areas
Failure items per 100 tests.
| Area | BMW 3 Series | Audi A4 |
|---|---|---|
| Lights & electrics | 11.8 | 11.5 |
| Suspension | 8.2 | 11.3 |
| Tyres | 8.6 | 8.8 |
| Brakes | 9.0 | 7.6 |
| Emissions & leaks | 3.6 | 3.9 |
| Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors) | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Body & chassis | 1.4 | 4.6 |
| Seat belts & airbags | 1.1 | 1.1 |
BMW 3 Series: top failures
Audi A4: top failures
Questions
Which is more reliable, the BMW 3 Series or the Audi A4?
The BMW 3 Series does better at the MOT, with a score of 110 against 106 for the Audi A4, comparing each with cars of the same age.
Which years of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4 can be compared?
Both were tested for 26 registration years (1996–2021). The BMW 3 Series had the higher pass rate in 18 of them and the Audi A4 in 8.
What fails most on each?
BMW 3 Series: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak. Audi A4: coil spring: fractured or broken; tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm.