2009 Audi A8 — MOT failures & pass rate
2,357 MOT tests on the 2009 Audi A8 are in this dataset, and 87.0% of them passed. Executive cars of a similar age fail 21.7% of the time, so this is 8.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (6.2%) and tyres (4.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are washers, position lamp and headlamp — washers alone was recorded 63 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 17.9% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 12.4% once past 150k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 20.8% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 145 |
| 2 | Tyres | 4.8% | 114 |
| 3 | Visibility | 4.0% | 93 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.5% | 83 |
| 5 | Brakes | 2.8% | 66 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 1.9% | 44 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washers | 63 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 53 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 52 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 51 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 49 |
| 6 | Linkage pins and bushes | 42 |
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 | 20.8% | 490 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.3% | 431 |
| 3 | Brakes | 17.3% | 409 |
| 4 | Other defects | 6.3% | 148 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 6.2% | 146 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 131 |
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 | 84 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 275 | 10.9% |
| 90-120k | 508 | 15.6% |
| 120-150k | 631 | 12.2% |
| 150k+ | 849 | 12.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 2,103 | 13.0% |
| Petrol | 254 | 12.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 536 | 13.3% |
| 2022 | 531 | 13.0% |
| 2023 | 481 | 12.9% |
| 2024 | 432 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 377 | 13.0% |
What to check before buying a 2009 A8
On a 2009 A8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 6.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (6.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.8% 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.
- Visibility (4.0% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2009 Audi A8s pass their MOT?
87.0% of the 2,357 2009 Audi A8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 13.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Audi A8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.2% of tests, followed by tyres (4.8%).
Does the 2009 A8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.9% in the 30-60k band to 12.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,357 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.