2008 Audi A4 — MOT failures & pass rate
106,804 MOT tests on the 2008 Audi A4 are in this dataset, and 76.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as executive cars of a similar age (22.5% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.3%) and suspension (10.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, coil spring and joints — headlamp aim alone was recorded 7,557 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.0% in the 0-30k band and 24.9% in the 150k+ band, a 10.9-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 21.4% fail against 23.9% for diesel, a 2.4-point gap across 106,804 tests.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 22.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 24.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.3% | 12,014 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.6% | 11,299 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.8% | 7,241 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 6,507 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.8% | 6,219 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.8% | 5,118 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 7,557 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 5,646 |
| 3 | Joints | 5,601 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 4,343 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 3,646 |
| 6 | Ball joint | 3,086 |
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 | 34.7% | 37,056 |
| 2 | Tyres | 28.9% | 30,876 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.4% | 25,007 |
| 4 | Other defects | 9.7% | 10,331 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.3% | 9,950 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.8% | 9,372 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 357 | 14.0% |
| 30-60k | 3,090 | 14.2% |
| 60-90k | 12,347 | 20.3% |
| 90-120k | 25,982 | 23.0% |
| 120-150k | 30,238 | 24.0% |
| 150k+ | 34,706 | 24.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 82,988 | 23.9% |
| Petrol | 23,816 | 21.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,323 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 24,008 | 23.1% |
| 2023 | 21,929 | 23.4% |
| 2024 | 19,148 | 23.8% |
| 2025 | 16,396 | 24.2% |
What to check before buying a 2008 A4
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% 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.
- Tyres (6.8% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2008 Audi A4s pass their MOT?
76.7% of the 106,804 2008 Audi A4 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Audi A4?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.6%).
Does the 2008 A4 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 0-30k band to 24.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 106,804 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.