2008 Audi RS6 — MOT failures & pass rate
1,058 MOT tests on the 2008 Audi RS6 are in this dataset, and 87.8% of them passed. That is 10.4 percentage points better than executive cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.6%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.3%) and suspension (3.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, catalyst emissions and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 34 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 8.6% in the 30-60k band and 14.3% in the 120-150k band, a 5.7-point spread.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 17.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 14.0% in 2021 to 11.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 56 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.8% | 40 |
| 3 | Tyres | 2.6% | 28 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.6% | 28 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 2.3% | 24 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.5% | 16 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 34 |
| 2 | Catalyst emissions | 25 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 18 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 14 |
| 5 | Shock absorbers | 12 |
| 6 | Washers | 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 | Suspension | 17.1% | 181 |
| 2 | Brakes | 16.8% | 178 |
| 3 | Tyres | 14.0% | 148 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 91 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 5.3% | 56 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.0% | 53 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 93 | 8.6% |
| 60-90k | 364 | 12.4% |
| 90-120k | 394 | 12.2% |
| 120-150k | 161 | 14.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 236 | 14.0% |
| 2022 | 222 | 10.8% |
| 2023 | 213 | 12.7% |
| 2024 | 188 | 11.7% |
| 2025 | 199 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a 2008 RS6
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.8% 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.
- Tyres (2.6% 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.
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 2008 Audi RS6s pass their MOT?
87.8% of the 1,058 2008 Audi RS6 MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 12.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Audi RS6?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.3% of tests, followed by suspension (3.8%).
Does the 2008 RS6 get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 8.6% in the 30-60k band to 14.3% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,058 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.