1992 Audi 80 — MOT failures & pass rate
499 MOT tests on the 1992 Audi 80 are in this dataset, and 73.8% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (22.9% fail rate), the 1992 80 comes out 3.3pp worse. Failures cluster in brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: brakes, recorded in 14.0% of tests against 11.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, flexible brake hoses and rbt (sp) — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 39 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 22.7% in the 30-60k band and 28.0% in the 150k+ band, a 5.3-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 39.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 27.1% of tests failed in 2021 against 30.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 14.0% | 70 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.0% | 55 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.4% | 52 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.6% | 48 |
| 5 | Visibility | 7.0% | 35 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 6.8% | 34 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 39 |
| 2 | Flexible brake hoses | 36 |
| 3 | Rbt (sp) | 34 |
| 4 | Service brake performance | 32 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 29 |
| 6 | Joints | 25 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 39.1% | 195 |
| 2 | Brakes | 26.7% | 133 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 21.0% | 105 |
| 4 | Tyres | 20.8% | 104 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 74 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.2% | 61 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 44 | 22.7% |
| 60-90k | 107 | 26.2% |
| 90-120k | 69 | 27.5% |
| 120-150k | 131 | 28.2% |
| 150k+ | 132 | 28.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 118 | 27.1% |
| 2022 | 103 | 18.4% |
| 2023 | 106 | 31.1% |
| 2024 | 88 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 84 | 30.9% |
What to check before buying a 1992 80
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: brakes accounted for 14.0% of tests. Start there.
- Brakes (14.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (11.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (10.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1992 Audi 80s pass their MOT?
73.8% of the 499 1992 Audi 80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1992 Audi 80?
Brakes, recorded in 14.0% of tests, followed by suspension (11.0%).
Does the 1992 80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.7% in the 30-60k band to 28.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 499 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.