Audi A8 MOT pass rate and common problems
91.4% of 23,021 Audi A8 MOT tests pass.
The A8 passes its MOT 91.4% of the time — well above the average across all Audi models, which sits at 84.5%.
The Audi A8 passes its MOT 91.4% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi A8?
This is the average across every Audi A8 in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 97.3% at 0–3 years to 83.8% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 97.3% | 547 | 28,495 miles |
| 3–6 years | 95.7% | 4,439 | 49,031 miles |
| 6–10 years | 93.9% | 6,956 | 79,932 miles |
| 10–15 years | 91.1% | 6,126 | 114,577 miles |
| 15+ years | 83.8% | 4,953 | 140,506 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi A8
The most common reason the Audi A8 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 35.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 35.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 31.5% | Not working |
| Brakes | 24.0% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Suspension | 21.9% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Visibility | 16.5% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 11.9% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.2% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Identification of the vehicle | 5.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.8% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Steering | 2.3% | Ball joint has excessive play |
Buying a used Audi A8: what to check
These checks follow the Audi A8’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Audi A8 comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 91.1% to 83.8%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 92.7% down to 89.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 35.6% of failed Audi A8 MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 31.5% of failed Audi A8 MOTs. 11.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 0.7% at 0–3 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 24.0% of failed Audi A8 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Suspension
Recorded in 21.9% of failed Audi A8 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 16.5% of failed Audi A8 MOTs. 5.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 0.9% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi Q7 — 87.9% pass rate
- Audi A7 — 89.7% pass rate
- Audi E-Tron — 92.7% pass rate
- Audi S3 — 90.0% pass rate
- Audi R8 — 95.0% pass rate
- Audi Q8 — 95.1% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi A8?
- 91.4% of Audi A8 MOT tests pass, based on 23,021 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi A8?
- The most common reason the Audi A8 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 35.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm".
- What are the common problems with the Audi A8?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi A8 are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi A8?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; windscreen and wipers. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi A8's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.