Luxury car · 1996–2021 cars

Audi A8 reliability

The Audi A8 fails 13.2% of first MOT tests, 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 42,174 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 99/100#3 of 14 luxury cars

Checking a Audi A8 before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 13.2%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 58% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 42,174; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 10,100; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi A8 ages

Each point is the share of Audi A8s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi A8All cars

Audi A8 first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi A8	All cars
3	7%	12.3%
4	6.3%	14.1%
5	6.5%	16.4%
6	8.4%	19.1%
7	9%	22.1%
8	9.2%	25.5%
9	9.7%	28.8%
10	9.5%	31.8%
11	13.3%	34.6%
12	12.5%	37.3%
13	17.4%	39.5%
14	20.4%	41.1%
15	19.4%	42.3%
16	22.3%	42.9%
17	25.5%	43.4%
18	24.1%	43.5%
19	24.2%	43.4%
20	26.2%	42.8%
21	30.5%	41.4%
22	28.2%	40.6%
23	29.6%	38.9%
24	29.7%	37.1%

By year

The best and worst Audi A8 years

2014 cars come out best and 2005 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi A8 MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021	200	5.5%	58% fewer fails	30,636
2020 A8	1,007	7.1%	50% fewer fails	35,775
2019 A8	2,540	5.9%	62% fewer fails	41,660
2018 A8	3,874	7.2%	57% fewer fails	44,652
2017 A8	2,472	7.4%	62% fewer fails	54,307
2016 A8	3,212	8.3%	64% fewer fails	64,413
2015 A8	3,680	10.1%	62% fewer fails	74,326
2014 A8	3,215	7.4%	75% fewer fails	88,435
2013 A8	2,714	10.8%	67% fewer fails	96,127
2012 A8	2,724	11.6%	68% fewer fails	102,300
2011 A8	2,702	12.5%	67% fewer fails	114,308
2010 A8	1,782	15.5%	62% fewer fails	122,934
2009 A8	1,444	18.3%	57% fewer fails	132,326
2008 A8	2,634	19.1%	56% fewer fails	137,788
2007 A8	2,221	22.8%	49% fewer fails	140,556
2006 A8	1,507	23%	49% fewer fails	143,453
2005 A8	1,390	25.3%	44% fewer fails	136,183
2004	833	25.2%	45% fewer fails	133,533
2003	473	31.3%	31% fewer fails	131,911
2002	383	25.3%	44% fewer fails	137,140
2001	354	26%	40% fewer fails	133,905
2000	232	36.6%	14% fewer fails	138,432
1999	309	28.5%	30% fewer fails	141,812

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi A8

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Tyres4%42% below avg
Lights and electrics3.6%73% below avg
Brakes2.5%70% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.3%55% below avg
Suspension2.3%79% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.9%51% below avg
Body, chassis and structure1.2%73% below avg
Number plates and VIN0.5%17% above avg
Seat belts and airbags0.5%63% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.15% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.91% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.79% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 0.77% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.71% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
6
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.62% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
7
Position lamp not working 0.6% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
8
Diesel engine warning light faulty 0.6% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi A8's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit10.5%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear5.46%
Brake disc pitted or scored4.88%
Brake pads wearing thin3.81%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking2.8%
Engine oil leak, not excessive2.65%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi A8

1
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
2
Tyre ply or cords exposed
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
3
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
4
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi A8 covers about 10,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Diesel79.4%
Petrol20.2%
Hybrid0.3%
LPG0.1%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Black, Grey, Silver, Blue, White

Average engine size: 3.3 litres.

Compare

How the Audi A8 compares with its rivals

Audi A8 against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Bentley Continental	7.4%	70% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi A8	13.2%	58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Porsche Panamera	10%	58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 7 Series	15.9%	47% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz S-Class	15.8%	46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Jaguar XJ	22.6%	35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW 8 Series	10.9%	28% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every luxury car ranked in the luxury car reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi A8 questions, answered

Is the Audi A8 reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi A8 is better than average: it fails 13.2% of first MOT tests, 58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 14 luxury car models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi A8 MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi A8 are tyre tread below 1.6mm (1.15% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.91% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.79% of tests). By area, tyres fails 4% of its tests.

Which Audi A8 year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2014 cars do best (75% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2005 cars do worst (44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi A8 do a year?

A typical Audi A8 covers about 10,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi A8 before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

Found a Audi A8? Check it free.

MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.