2018 Audi R8 — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2018 Audi R8 passed 94.5% of its 1,406 recorded MOT tests. Coupes & convertibles of a similar age fail 9.0% of the time, so this is 3.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in tyres, other defects and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (2.5%) and other defects (1.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are registration plates, shock absorbers and tread depth — registration plates alone was recorded 43 times.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 10.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 7.9% in 2021 to 5.2% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 2.5% | 35 |
| 2 | Other defects | 1.9% | 27 |
| 3 | Suspension | 1.5% | 21 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 0.3% | 4 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.2% | 3 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.1% | 2 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registration plates | 43 |
| 2 | Shock absorbers | 21 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 20 |
| 4 | Tyre pressure monitoring system | 6 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 4 |
| 6 | Attachment | 3 |
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 | 10.7% | 150 |
| 2 | Other defects | 2.6% | 37 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.1% | 29 |
| 4 | Suspension | 1.8% | 26 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.8% | 11 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.6% | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 1,208 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 189 | 7.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 304 | 7.9% |
| 2022 | 286 | 5.9% |
| 2023 | 287 | 3.1% |
| 2024 | 262 | 5.0% |
| 2025 | 267 | 5.2% |
What to check before buying a 2018 R8
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 2.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (2.5% 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.
- Other defects (1.9% of tests): Miscellaneous items not in the main categories. Typical repair: varies.
- Suspension (1.5% 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 2018 Audi R8s pass their MOT?
94.5% of the 1,406 2018 Audi R8 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 5.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Audi R8?
Tyres, recorded in 2.5% of tests, followed by other defects (1.9%).
Does the 2018 R8 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 7.4% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,406 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.