Audi A8 MOT Failure Rate & Common Faults
We analysed 12,083 MOT tests on the Audi A8 carried out in 2023. 14% failed at the first attempt, which is well below the 29% average across all cars in the same data. Put another way, about 9 in 10 A8s passed first time.
Results cover cars first registered from 1998 to 2020. Compared with other cars of the same age, 2010 models did best (86% passed, +25.1 points against the average for 13-year-old cars), while 1998 models fared worst (62%, −2.1 points). Tested cars had covered 98,166 miles on average, against 73,145 across all cars.
The most common reason for failure was tyres, found on 4.4% of tests (slightly below the 6.3% seen across all cars). The single most frequent fault was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 1.4% of tests.
- MOT tests analysed
- 12,083
- First-time pass rate
- 86%
- All cars: 71%
- Versus all cars
- +14.6 points
- Average mileage at test
- 98,166
- All cars: 73,145
Checking a particular A8?
See its own MOT history, advisories and mileage for free.
A8 MOT pass rate by year
Older cars fail more often, so each year is compared with all cars of the same age. Bars above the dashed line did better than average for their age.
| First registered | Tests | Pass rate | All cars, same age | Difference | Avg mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 403 | 91% | 88% | +2.9 points | 33,652 |
| 2019 | 752 | 94% | 86% | +8.0 points | 41,388 |
| 2018 | 997 | 92% | 84% | +7.5 points | 48,833 |
| 2017 | 667 | 91% | 82% | +9.5 points | 61,039 |
| 2016 | 905 | 92% | 79% | +13.1 points | 73,768 |
| 2015 | 998 | 90% | 75% | +14.1 points | 79,637 |
| 2014 | 892 | 91% | 72% | +19.4 points | 93,772 |
| 2013 | 776 | 88% | 68% | +20.1 points | 98,985 |
| 2012 | 782 | 87% | 66% | +21.6 points | 109,668 |
| 2011 | 760 | 86% | 63% | +23.3 points | 117,745 |
| 2010 | 512 | 86% | 60% | +25.1 points | 124,594 |
| 2009 | 427 | 80% | 59% | +21.1 points | 137,723 |
| 2008 | 768 | 81% | 57% | +23.5 points | 142,449 |
| 2007 | 632 | 78% | 57% | +20.7 points | 145,414 |
| 2006 | 449 | 75% | 56% | +19.1 points | 147,524 |
| 2005 | 400 | 76% | 56% | +19.5 points | 142,976 |
| 2004 | 264 | 76% | 56% | +20.1 points | 138,732 |
| 2003 | 140 | 66% | 57% | +9.8 points | 137,320 |
| 2002 | 118 | 78% | 58% | +20.5 points | 136,522 |
| 2001 | 99 | 72% | 59% | +13.1 points | 137,490 |
| 2000 | 68 | 65% | 61% | +4.1 points | 135,311 |
| 1999 | 62 | 68% | 62% | +5.2 points | 140,411 |
| 1998 | 55 | 62% | 64% | −2.1 points | 141,488 |
Why the Audi A8 fails its MOT
The share of tests with at least one failure in each area, compared with all cars.
| Failure area | A8 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 4.4% | 6.3% |
| Lights and electrics | 3.7% | 11.3% |
| Brakes | 2.5% | 6.8% |
| Visibility | 2.5% | 4.8% |
| Suspension | 2.3% | 8.9% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2.1% | 3.1% |
| Body and structure | 1.2% | 3.5% |
| Seatbelts and airbags | 0.7% | 1.0% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 1.8% |
| Number plates and VIN | 0.4% | 0.4% |
Top 10 specific failure reasons
- 1tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- 2inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.4%
- 3pin or bush excessively worn1.3%
- 4not working1.3%
- 5has ply or cords exposed1.1%
- 6has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.0%
- 7provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
- 8does not clear the windscreen effectively0.7%
- 9constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
- 10not working0.6%
Common A8 MOT advisories
Advisories don't cause a fail, but they show what's wearing out. On a used A8, check whether these have been dealt with. Read our guide to MOT advisories.
| Advisory | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 13.3% |
| pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 8.1% |
| in such a condition that it is seriously weakened | Brakes | 6.2% |
| less than 1.5 mm thick | Brakes | 5.3% |
| has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 3.7% |
| leaking excessively from engine | Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.2% |
| tread pattern not visible over the whole tread area when minimum depth required is 1.0mm | Tyres | 2.5% |
| significantly and obviously worn | Brakes | 1.9% |
| ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 1.6% |
| Nail in tyre | Non-component advisories | 1.6% |
Tips to help your A8 pass
Based on where A8s most often fail. For a full list, use our pre-MOT checklist.
Lights and electrics · 3.7% of A8 tests
Walk round every light
With a helper, check headlights on dipped and main beam, sidelights, brake lights, indicators, the rear fog light and the number plate lamp. Replace blown bulbs in pairs and make sure no lenses are cracked.
Brakes · 2.5% of A8 tests
Don't ignore brake warning signs
Grinding, squealing, a soft pedal or the car pulling to one side under braking are all worth investigating before the MOT. Check whether the last test noted worn pads or discs; if so, they may now be below the limit.
Visibility · 2.5% of A8 tests
Clear the view
Replace wiper blades that smear, fill the washer bottle and get chips in the windscreen repaired early, especially in the area directly in front of the driver.
Compare with other models
Is the A8 ULEZ compliant? See the Audi A8 ULEZ check, or view all Audi models.
Models with similar pass rates
About this data
Based on 12,083 first MOT tests of the Audi A8 carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
Answers from 12,083 first MOT tests of the Audi A8.
What is the Audi A8 MOT failure rate?
In our data, 14% of 12,083 first MOT attempts on the Audi A8 ended in a fail, compared with 29% for all cars.
What is the most common reason a Audi A8 fails its MOT?
The most common failure areas were tyres (4.4% of tests), lights and electrics (3.7% of tests), brakes (2.5% of tests).
Which A8 year has the best MOT pass rate?
Allowing for age, 2010 cars performed best: 86% passed first time, +25.1 points against the average for 13-year-old cars. The weakest was 1998, at 62% (−2.1 points).
How many miles had a typical Audi A8 covered at its MOT?
The average was 98,166 miles, against 73,145 for all cars tested. 2020 cars averaged 33,652 miles and 1998 cars 141,488.
What is the most common MOT advisory on the Audi A8?
"tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm" was recorded on 13.3% of tests, in the tyres area. 4.4% of A8s failed in that area too.
How can I check a specific A8's MOT history?
Enter its registration in our free MOT check. Across the 12,083 A8s in our data, first-time pass rates ranged from 62% to 94% by year, so one car's own record says more than the average.
Related guides
- MOT · 4 min readTyre tread depth and the MOT: the legal limit and how to check6.3% of cars failed their 2023 MOT on tyres. The 1.6mm legal limit, what testers look for beyond tread, and a one-minute check with a 20p coin.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readPre-MOT checklist: 20 things to check yourself before the testTwenty quick checks, grouped by area, that you can do on your driveway in under half an hour. No tools beyond a coin and a helper needed for most.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readDangerous, major and minor MOT defects explainedSince 2018, every fault found at an MOT goes into one of four categories. Knowing the difference tells you whether you can drive home, and what to fix first.Read the guide
Check any A8's MOT history
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