2007 Audi R8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,553 MOT tests, the 2007 Audi R8 recorded an 88.5% pass rate. That is 10.1 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 21.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests against 3.1% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, shock absorbers and catalyst emissions — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 77 times.
A 90-120k example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 12.2% versus 8.0%.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 15.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 14.1% in 2021 to 11.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 6.7% | 104 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.1% | 48 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.8% | 43 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 35 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.6% | 25 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.4% | 21 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rear fog lamp | 77 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 36 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 26 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 19 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 18 |
| 6 | Tread depth | 16 |
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 | 15.4% | 239 |
| 2 | Tyres | 14.7% | 228 |
| 3 | Brakes | 14.5% | 226 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 65 |
| 5 | Other defects | 2.8% | 43 |
| 6 | Visibility | 2.7% | 42 |
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 | 212 | 8.0% |
| 30-60k | 748 | 12.6% |
| 60-90k | 503 | 11.1% |
| 90-120k | 82 | 12.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 363 | 14.1% |
| 2022 | 329 | 10.6% |
| 2023 | 307 | 9.8% |
| 2024 | 288 | 10.8% |
| 2025 | 266 | 11.7% |
What to check before buying a 2007 R8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 6.7% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (6.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.1% 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.
- Brakes (2.8% 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.
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 2007 Audi R8s pass their MOT?
88.5% of the 1,553 2007 Audi R8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 11.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2007 Audi R8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 6.7% of tests, followed by suspension (3.1%).
Does the 2007 R8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.0% in the 0-30k band to 12.2% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,553 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.