Large SUV · 2018–2021 cars
Audi Q8 reliability
The Audi Q8 fails 7.5% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 12,338 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Audi Q8 before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 7.5%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 51% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 12,338
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 10,000
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Audi Q8 ages
Each point is the share of Audi Q8s of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Audi Q8 | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 7.5% | 14.1% |
| 5 | 7.3% | 16.4% |
| 6 | 4.2% | 19.1% |
By year
The best and worst Audi Q8 years
2020 cars come out best and 2019 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
Common problems
What fails most on a Audi Q8
Its weak spot is number plates and vin: 305% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Tyres3.6%32% below avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1%2% above avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors1%71% below avg
- Number plates and VIN1%305% above avg
- Lights and electrics0.8%80% below avg
- Brakes0.8%73% below avg
- Suspension0.3%79% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure0.2%70% below avg
- Wheels0.2%5% above avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 1.06% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 0.86% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
Tyre ply or cords exposed 0.59% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.
- 4
Number plate does not meet standards 0.52% of tests
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 5
Diesel engine warning light faulty 0.48% of tests
A lit or non-working engine warning light can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 6
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.26% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 7
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 0.24% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
- 8
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.22% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi Q8's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit7.72%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.48%
- Brake pads wearing thin4.21%
- Nail in tyre, monitor1.99%
- Child seat limits belt inspection1.45%
- Tyre worn close to legal limit1.44%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Audi Q8
- 1
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.
- 2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
- 3
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.
- 4
Number plate does not meet standards
The plate does not meet legal specifications, so it must be replaced with a compliant one before the car is driven.
- 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 Q8 covers about 10,000 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
- Diesel94.1%
- Petrol5.7%
- Hybrid0.2%
Most common colours
Black, Grey, Blue, White, Silver
Average engine size: 3.0 litres.
Compare
How the Audi Q8 compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Bentley Bentayga | 4.2% | 73% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Audi Q8 | 7.5% | 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GL-Class | 17.8% | 46% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz GLS | 11.1% | 36% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Mercedes-Benz R-Class | 27.2% | 34% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Tesla Model X | 15.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| SsangYong Rexton | 35.6% | 36% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every large suv ranked in the large suv reliability index, or all Audi models.
Questions
Audi Q8 questions, answered
Is the Audi Q8 reliable?
On MOT results, the Audi Q8 is better than average: it fails 7.5% of first MOT tests, 51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 3 of 30 large suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Audi Q8 MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Audi Q8 are tyre cut reaching ply or cords (1.06% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (0.86% of tests), tyre ply or cords exposed (0.59% of tests). By area, tyres fails 3.6% of its tests.
Which Audi Q8 year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2020 cars do best (58% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2019 cars do worst (49% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Audi Q8 do a year?
A typical Audi Q8 covers about 10,000 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 Q8 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.
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