2005 Audi A8 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,370 MOT tests on the 2005 Audi A8 are in this dataset, and 83.0% of them passed. Against executive cars of a similar age (24.1% fail rate), the 2005 A8 comes out 7.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (8.3%) and suspension (5.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are pins and bushes, headlamp aim and position lamp — pins and bushes alone was recorded 123 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 17.9% versus 5.5%.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 16.4% of the time against 17.4% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 25.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 197 |
| 2 | Suspension | 5.7% | 136 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.4% | 129 |
| 4 | Visibility | 4.6% | 109 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.6% | 108 |
| 6 | Brakes | 4.2% | 100 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pins and bushes | 123 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 88 |
| 3 | Position lamp | 77 |
| 4 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 76 |
| 5 | Headlamp | 75 |
| 6 | Washers | 74 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 25.3% | 599 |
| 2 | Suspension | 23.7% | 561 |
| 3 | Brakes | 23.1% | 548 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 17.2% | 407 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 9.2% | 217 |
| 6 | Visibility | 7.3% | 172 |
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 | 55 | 5.5% |
| 60-90k | 207 | 15.0% |
| 90-120k | 545 | 17.6% |
| 120-150k | 650 | 17.1% |
| 150k+ | 906 | 17.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,586 | 17.4% |
| Petrol | 780 | 16.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 659 | 17.0% |
| 2022 | 566 | 18.9% |
| 2023 | 456 | 15.8% |
| 2024 | 382 | 16.0% |
| 2025 | 307 | 16.9% |
What to check before buying a 2005 A8
On a 2005 A8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 8.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (8.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (5.7% 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 (5.4% 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 2005 Audi A8s pass their MOT?
83.0% of the 2,370 2005 Audi A8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.1% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Audi A8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 8.3% of tests, followed by suspension (5.7%).
Does the 2005 A8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.5% in the 30-60k band to 17.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,370 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.