Audi A8 MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Audi A8. Check any A8 by registration number below.

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86.8%

Avg Pass Rate

-2.9%

vs Audi Avg

Year Ranges

Excellent

Reliability

Audi A8 — MOT Reliability Overview

The Audi A8 has an average MOT pass rate of 86.8%, which is 2.9 percentage points below the Audi brand average of 89.7%. This is a strong result, indicating that the A8 is well-engineered and tends to age well mechanically. Owners can expect fewer surprises at MOT time.

The most common reasons a Audi A8 fails its MOT are a suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements. If you are preparing your A8 for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Audi A8, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Audi A8 performs at MOT across different model years.

2021

Based on 172 vehicles

97.7%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

2.4%

Mileage at 3yr

48k mi

2020

Based on 764 vehicles

95.5%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.4%

Retest Rate

7.0%

Mileage at 3yr

52k mi

Mileage at 5yr

72k mi

2019

Based on 2,560 vehicles

95.7%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.1%

Retest Rate

5.1%

Mileage at 3yr

56k mi

Mileage at 5yr

81k mi

2018

Based on 3,232 vehicles

94.6%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.4%

Retest Rate

5.9%

Mileage at 5yr

81k mi

2017

Based on 1,983 vehicles

94.2%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

5.5%

Mileage at 5yr

96k mi

2016

Based on 2,655 vehicles

93.2%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

6.9%

2015

Based on 3,113 vehicles

92.5%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.3%

Retest Rate

8.1%

Mileage at 10yr

141k mi

2014

Based on 2,656 vehicles

93.4%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.5%

Retest Rate

6.4%

Mileage at 10yr

158k mi

2013

Based on 2,167 vehicles

90.9%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.6%

Retest Rate

11.7%

Mileage at 10yr

160k mi

2012

Based on 2,113 vehicles

90.9%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.5%

Retest Rate

9.2%

Mileage at 10yr

175k mi

2011

Based on 2,053 vehicles

91.1%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

7.2%

2010

Based on 1,324 vehicles

87.0%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.4%

Retest Rate

14.6%

2009

Based on 1,086 vehicles

87.4%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.9%

Retest Rate

10.5%

2008

Based on 1,964 vehicles

86.8%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.9%

Retest Rate

10.4%

2007

Based on 1,612 vehicles

83.8%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.9%

Retest Rate

14.2%

2006

Based on 1,076 vehicles

81.9%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.1%

Retest Rate

17.6%

2005

Based on 982 vehicles

83.9%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.8%

Retest Rate

13.2%

2004

Based on 553 vehicles

78.1%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

5.2%

Retest Rate

19.9%

2003

Based on 1,997 vehicles

92.5%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.7%

Retest Rate

18.6%

Mileage at 5yr

130k mi

Mileage at 10yr

228k mi

2002

Based on 265 vehicles

82.3%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.7%

Retest Rate

10.7%

2001

Based on 239 vehicles

82.8%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

2.1%

Retest Rate

9.8%

2000

Based on 156 vehicles

71.8%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

3.4%

Retest Rate

18.2%

1999

Based on 228 vehicles

75.9%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

15.7%

1998

Based on 167 vehicles

74.9%Average

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.8%

Retest Rate

8.9%

1997

Based on 136 vehicles

75.0%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

1.9%

Retest Rate

11.7%

1996

Based on 232 vehicles

91.8%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

4.0%

Retest Rate

24.0%

1995

Based on 36 vehicles

75.0%Good

Audi average: 89.7%

Dangerous Defects

0.0%

Retest Rate

18.2%

1994

Based on 88 vehicles

87.5%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

0

Based on 13,005 vehicles

89.1%Excellent

Audi average: 89.7%

Mileage at 5yr

101k mi

Top MOT Failures — Audi A8

The most common reasons a Audi A8 fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn

2.2%

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

2.0%

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

1.5%

Number plate showing an incorrect registration

1.5%

An SRS malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) indicates a system malfunction

1.3%

Audi A8 Common Faults & Repair Costs

Where Failures Occur

The areas of the vehicle most commonly flagged during MOT inspections.

Front Offside

1.2%

Front

1.2%

Front Nearside

0.6%

Other Audi Models

Compare MOT reliability across Audi models.

Audi A5 S Ln Blk Ed 35 Tfsi Mhev Sa

90.3% pass rate

Audi A6 Aroad Sport 55tfsi Mhev Q A

89.5% pass rate

Audi All Road Avant

82.6% pass rate

Audi Rs 4 Vorsprung Tfsi Quattro A

94.7% pass rate

Audi E-tron S Quattro

82.6% pass rate

Audi TT

69.5% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Audi A8

Audi A8 — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Audi A8 MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi A8?

The average MOT pass rate for the Audi A8 is 86.8% compared to the Audi average of 89.7%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.

What are the most common MOT failures on a Audi A8?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A8 are: A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn (2.2%), A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (2.0%), The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (1.5%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.

Is the Audi A8 reliable?

With an average MOT pass rate of 86.8%, the Audi A8 is rated as "Excellent" for reliability. This is a strong result suggesting good build quality and fewer common defects.

How do I check the MOT history of a Audi A8?

Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.

What mileage should I expect on a Audi A8?

Typical mileage for the Audi A8: 47,524 miles at 3 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used A8 to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Audi A8's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.