1996 Audi A4 1.8L Petrol · P171 TFU
1996 Audi A4 (1.8L, petrol). First registered 28 Sept 1996. Recorded mileage 206,157 miles. MOT valid until 09 Jul 2027.
- Make & Model
- AUDI A4
- Year / Origin
- 1996 · Preston
- Safety Recall
- Unknown
- MOT Status
- Valid until 09 Jul 2027
- Road Tax
- —
- Recorded Mileage
- 206,157 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- Petrol · 1.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
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.
P171 TFU Key Findings
- 5 MOT tests recorded
- Latest MOT passed on 08/07/2026
- 206,157 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 2 historical MOT failures
- 4 defects noted at the latest MOT
- Recurring brakes items (9 mentions)
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
P171 TFU MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
5 MOT tests are recorded for this 1996 Audi A4 (P171 TFU) between June 2024 and July 2026.
The record contains 3 passes and 2 failures.
The most recent test on 08 July 2026 was a pass, although the earlier record includes 2 failures that buyers may want to investigate.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (9 issues), Suspension (9 issues), Tyres (4 issues), Steering (2 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 27 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: “Offside Front Outer Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (”; “Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))”; “Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn x2 (5.3.4 (a) (i))”.
P171 TFU Mileage History
- 19/06/2024199,785 mi
- 18/06/2025202,552 mi+2,767 mi
- 11/07/2025202,557 mi+5 mi
- 08/07/2026206,157 mi+3,600 mi
- 08/07/2026206,157 mi
Average of roughly 3,107 miles per year across 5 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: Average
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 1996 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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