2012 Audi R8 — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 950 MOT tests, the 2012 Audi R8 recorded a 91.8% pass rate. That is 8.0 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 16.2%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.0%) and tyres (2.1%) 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 35 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2012 R8 fails 5.9% of the time in the 0-30k band and 8.8% at 60-90k, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 11.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 8.2% in 2021 to 6.5% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 47 |
| 2 | Tyres | 2.1% | 20 |
| 3 | Suspension | 2.1% | 20 |
| 4 | Other defects | 1.3% | 12 |
| 5 | Brakes | 1.2% | 11 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.8% | 8 |
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 | 35 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 24 |
| 3 | Registration plates | 21 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 13 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 8 |
| 6 | Fuel cap/sealing device | 7 |
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 | 11.9% | 113 |
| 2 | Brakes | 8.8% | 84 |
| 3 | Suspension | 5.4% | 51 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.5% | 24 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.1% | 20 |
| 6 | Other defects | 1.2% | 11 |
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 | 439 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 469 | 10.2% |
| 60-90k | 34 | 8.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 208 | 8.2% |
| 2022 | 183 | 6.6% |
| 2023 | 189 | 8.5% |
| 2024 | 185 | 11.3% |
| 2025 | 185 | 6.5% |
What to check before buying a 2012 R8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (2.1% 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.
- Suspension (2.1% 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.
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 2012 Audi R8s pass their MOT?
91.8% of the 950 2012 Audi R8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2012 Audi R8?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.0% of tests, followed by tyres (2.1%).
Does the 2012 R8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 8.8% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 950 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.