2011 Audi R8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 1,618 MOT tests, the 2011 Audi R8 recorded a 90.2% pass rate. Against coupes & convertibles of a similar age (17.8% fail rate), the 2011 R8 comes out 8.0pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (4.4%) and suspension (2.4%) 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 fuel cap/sealing device — rear fog lamp alone was recorded 55 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2011 R8 fails 6.5% of the time in the 0-30k band and 9.8% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 13.3% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 11.0% in 2021 to 8.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 4.4% | 71 |
| 2 | Suspension | 2.4% | 38 |
| 3 | Brakes | 2.1% | 34 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.0% | 33 |
| 5 | Tyres | 1.7% | 28 |
| 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 | 55 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 40 |
| 3 | Fuel cap/sealing device | 29 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 21 |
| 5 | Registration plates | 14 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 12 |
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 | 13.3% | 215 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 168 |
| 3 | Suspension | 7.0% | 114 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 3.1% | 51 |
| 5 | Other defects | 1.7% | 28 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.3% | 21 |
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 | 581 | 6.5% |
| 30-60k | 876 | 12.0% |
| 60-90k | 153 | 9.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 326 | 11.0% |
| 2022 | 336 | 10.7% |
| 2023 | 326 | 9.2% |
| 2024 | 323 | 9.3% |
| 2025 | 307 | 8.8% |
What to check before buying a 2011 R8
On a 2011 R8, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 4.4% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (4.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (2.4% 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 (2.1% 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 2011 Audi R8s pass their MOT?
90.2% of the 1,618 2011 Audi R8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Audi R8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 4.4% of tests, followed by suspension (2.4%).
Does the 2011 R8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.5% in the 0-30k band to 9.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,618 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.