2005 Audi A8 · 1,390 MOT tests
2005 Audi A8 reliability
2005 Audi A8s fail 25.3% of first MOT tests, 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 16 A8 years (1,390 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Audi A8s: 13.2%)
- 25.3%
- first-time fail rate (all Audi A8s: 13.2%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 44% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- 136,183
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 17
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 1,390
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2005 against the years either side
- 2004 cars: 45% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- 2006 cars: 49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2005 car does worse)
- Strong point: body, chassis and structure, 69% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2005 car carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
Common problems
What fails on a 2005 Audi A8
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics8.6%
- Tyres6.3%
- Suspension6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5%
- Brakes5%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks4.9%
- Body, chassis and structure3%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
Position lamp not working 2.52%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 2.45%
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
Tyre ply or cords exposed 2.37%
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.23%
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
Airbag warning lamp shows fault 2.16%
A lit airbag warning means the airbag system may not deploy in a crash, so it needs diagnosing and repairing.
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 2.01%
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Common advisories
Tyre worn close to legal limit (15.4%) · Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear (13.6%) · Brake disc pitted or scored (10.22%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (5.4%) · Brake pads wearing thin (5.04%) · Anti-roll bar linkage pin/bush worn (4.6%)
Other years
Every Audi A8 year
The full picture: Audi A8 reliability. Before you pay for any Audi A8, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2005 Audi A8 reliable?
2005 Audi A8s fail 25.3% of first MOT tests, 44% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, ranking 16 of 16 A8 years (1,390 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2005 Audi A8 MOT?
Most often position lamp not working (2.52% of tests), engine warning light inoperative or lit (2.45% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (2.37% of tests).
How many miles should a 2005 Audi A8 have done?
At its MOT aged about 17, a typical 2005 Audi A8 shows 136,183 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2005 car?
A car first registered in 2005 carries a 54 plate (January–February 2005), or a 05 plate (March–August 2005), or a 55 plate (September–December 2005).
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