1995 Audi 80 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1995 Audi 80 passed 73.9% of its 763 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail 24.2% of the time, so this is 1.8pp worse than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
Lighting & signalling dominates the failure mix at 14.7% of all tests — 5.2 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, headlamp aim and joints — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 59 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 21.6% in the 30-60k band and 28.1% in the 150k+ band, a 6.4-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.7% | 112 |
| 2 | Brakes | 9.4% | 72 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 69 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.6% | 66 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 66 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.2% | 40 |
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 | 59 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 58 |
| 3 | Joints | 34 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 33 |
| 5 | Rbt (sp) | 32 |
| 6 | Pins and bushes | 30 |
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 | 36.8% | 281 |
| 2 | Brakes | 27.4% | 209 |
| 3 | Tyres | 19.3% | 147 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 18.0% | 137 |
| 5 | Other defects | 13.6% | 104 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 12.6% | 96 |
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 | 37 | 21.6% |
| 60-90k | 34 | 17.6% |
| 90-120k | 137 | 21.2% |
| 120-150k | 189 | 28.6% |
| 150k+ | 353 | 28.1% |
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 475 | 24.6% |
| Diesel | 288 | 28.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 176 | 27.8% |
| 2022 | 165 | 24.9% |
| 2023 | 152 | 25.7% |
| 2024 | 129 | 22.5% |
| 2025 | 141 | 29.1% |
What to check before buying a 1995 80
On a 1995 80, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (9.4% 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 (9.0% 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.
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 1995 Audi 80s pass their MOT?
73.9% of the 763 1995 Audi 80 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1995 Audi 80?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.7% of tests, followed by brakes (9.4%).
Does the 1995 80 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 30-60k band to 28.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 763 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.