1998 Audi A4 2.8L Petrol · R965 FBW
1998 Audi A4 (2.8L, petrol). First registered 01 Jun 1998. Recorded mileage 261,622 miles. MOT expired on 20 Jul 2012. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- AUDI A4
- Year / Origin
- 1998 · Reading
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Expired on 20 Jul 2012
- Road Tax
- Untaxed (01 Jan 2012)
- Recorded Mileage
- 261,622 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
Thinking of buying this vehicle? Free MOT and tax checks do not cover legal ownership. If outstanding finance exists, finance companies have legal right to repossess without compensation.
R965 FBW Key Findings
- 10 MOT tests recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT passed on 15/07/2011
- 261,622 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 3 historical MOT failures
- 2 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
R965 FBW MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
10 MOT tests are recorded for this 1998 Audi A4 (R965 FBW) between June 2005 and July 2011.
The record contains 7 passes and 3 failures.
The most recent test on 15 July 2011 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 3 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Suspension (6 issues), Lighting (5 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Brakes (4 issues), Bodywork (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 5 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Nearside Rear coil spring fractured (2.4.C.1a)”; “Anti-roll bar rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)”; “Nearside Front Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)”.
R965 FBW Mileage History
- 17/06/2005158,688 mi
- 21/06/2006176,700 mi+18,012 mi
- 22/06/2007192,767 mi+16,067 mi
- 11/07/2008211,064 mi+18,297 mi
- 22/06/2009226,867 mi+15,803 mi
- 02/07/2009226,869 mi+2 mi
- 07/07/2010247,152 mi+20,283 mi
- 21/07/2010247,152 mi
- 13/07/2011261,620 mi+14,468 mi
- 15/07/2011261,622 mi+2 mi
Average of roughly 16,944 miles per year across 10 recorded odometer readings.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
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Known faults for Audi Audi A4 Mk1 (B5)
Our database tracks 5 specific mechanical faults and recurring failure patterns identified across UK MOT testing stations for this generation.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
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AUDI A4 Model Intelligence & Reliability
Verified MOT failure trends, buying advice, and technical directory specifications.
Owner-reported defects, recurring MOT failure points, and estimated repair costs.
Browse production generations, registration statistics, and trim variants.
Historical MOT pass rates and DVLA records for 1998 model year cars.
- Multi-Link Front Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt Seizure & Bush TearingModerate
The four-link front suspension features long steel pinch bolts through the aluminum hub carriers that seize solid from galvanic corrosion and road salt, while the upper and lower control arm rubber bushes split and knock.
- Plenum Chamber Battery Drain Rubber Grommet Blockage & Brake Servo FloodingSerious
The battery tray sits in a bulkhead plenum chamber with two one-way rubber drain grommets that clog with road debris and pine needles. Trapped water submerges the brake servo, drawing water into the vacuum line and rusting the servo shell.
- 1.8T Longitudinal Oil Sump Sludge & Hydraulic Lifter StarvationSerious
The longitudinally mounted 1.8T has a relatively small 3.5-litre oil capacity. Following factory long-life variable service schedules causes severe oil coking that chokes the oil pump pickup pipe gauze, starving the camshafts and turbo.
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