1987 Audi Quattro — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 251 MOT tests, the 1987 Audi Quattro recorded a 92.0% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 20.6% of the time, so this is 12.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.8% of tests against 3.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, non catalyst emissions and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 8 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 2.9% in the 60-90k band and 11.5% in the 150k+ band, a 8.5-point spread — more than double.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 10.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 18.5% in 2021 to 2.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.8% | 17 |
| 2 | Brakes | 3.6% | 9 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.8% | 7 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 6 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.6% | 4 |
| 6 | Steering | 1.2% | 3 |
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 | 8 |
| 2 | Non catalyst emissions | 6 |
| 3 | Washers | 5 |
| 4 | Anti-lock braking system | 5 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 4 |
| 6 | Wipers | 4 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 10.8% | 27 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.6% | 24 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 19 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 11 |
| 5 | Steering | 4.4% | 11 |
| 6 | Other defects | 3.2% | 8 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 60-90k | 34 | 2.9% |
| 90-120k | 67 | 7.5% |
| 120-150k | 71 | 8.5% |
| 150k+ | 61 | 11.5% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 54 | 18.5% |
| 2022 | 51 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 52 | 7.7% |
| 2024 | 44 | 4.5% |
| 2025 | 50 | 2.0% |
What to check before buying a 1987 Quattro
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (3.6% 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.
- Visibility (2.8% 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 1987 Audi Quattros pass their MOT?
92.0% of the 251 1987 Audi Quattro MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1987 Audi Quattro?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.8% of tests, followed by brakes (3.6%).
Does the 1987 Quattro get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 2.9% in the 60-90k band to 11.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 251 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.