2009 Audi R8 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2009 Audi R8 passed 90.4% of its 1,577 recorded MOT tests. That is 10.7 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 20.3%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.6%) and brakes (2.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rear fog lamp, shock absorbers and registration plates — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 57 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 7.5% in the 0-30k band and 13.2% in the 60-90k band, a 5.7-point spread.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 13.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 10.7% in 2021 to 8.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.6% | 72 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.9% | 46 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.3% | 36 |
| 4 | Tyres | 1.7% | 27 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 1.3% | 21 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.1% | 17 |
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 | 57 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 35 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 27 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 12 |
| 5 | Brake discs | 11 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 10 |
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 | 13.2% | 208 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.7% | 200 |
| 3 | Suspension | 10.5% | 165 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 1.8% | 29 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.8% | 29 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.3% | 20 |
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 | 400 | 7.5% |
| 30-60k | 802 | 8.8% |
| 60-90k | 341 | 13.2% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 336 | 10.7% |
| 2022 | 324 | 8.3% |
| 2023 | 311 | 9.0% |
| 2024 | 296 | 11.2% |
| 2025 | 310 | 8.7% |
What to check before buying a 2009 R8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 4.6% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (4.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (2.9% 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.
- Suspension (2.3% 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.
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 R8s pass their MOT?
90.4% of the 1,577 2009 Audi R8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Audi R8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.6% of tests, followed by brakes (2.9%).
Does the 2009 R8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 7.5% in the 0-30k band to 13.2% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,577 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.