Audi SQ8 MOT pass rate and common problems
95.9% of 1,601 Audi SQ8 MOT tests pass.
The SQ8 passes its MOT 95.9% of the time — well above the average across all Audi models, which sits at 84.5%.
The Audi SQ8 passes its MOT 95.9% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Audi SQ8?
This is the average across every Audi SQ8 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
Unusually, pass rate is higher for older examples: 94.3% at 0–3 years compared with 96.4% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 94.3% | 420 | 25,048 miles |
| 3–6 years | 96.4% | 1,181 | 40,226 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi SQ8
The most common reason the Audi SQ8 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 92.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 92.9% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Brakes | 14.3% | Worn down to wear indicator |
| Identification of the vehicle | 14.3% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.6% | Inoperative |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.1% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 1.4% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Audi SQ8: what to check
These checks follow the Audi SQ8’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.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 95.5% down to 92.9%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 92.9% of failed Audi SQ8 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. Brakes
Recorded in 14.3% of failed Audi SQ8 MOTs.
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.
3. Number plates and VIN
Recorded in 14.3% of failed Audi SQ8 MOTs.
Match the registration plates and the VIN (usually at the base of the windscreen and on a door pillar) to the V5C.
4. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 8.6% of failed Audi SQ8 MOTs.
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.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 7.1% of failed Audi SQ8 MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
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 Cabriolet — 72.3% pass rate
- Audi 80 — 72.4% pass rate
- Audi A3 E-Tron — 86.1% pass rate
- Audi RSQ8 — 96.5% pass rate
- Audi Coupe — 79.3% pass rate
- Audi Quattro — 88.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi SQ8?
- 95.9% of Audi SQ8 MOT tests pass, based on 1,601 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi SQ8?
- The most common reason the Audi SQ8 fails its MOT is tyres — present in 92.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Audi SQ8?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi SQ8 are tyres; brakes; number plates and vin.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi SQ8?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; brakes; number plates and vin; lights and electrics; exhaust, emissions and leaks. 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 SQ8'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.