Audi S8 MOT pass rate & common failures
1,249 MOT tests on the Audi S8 (1997–2023) give it an 87.4% pass rate. All cars of a similar age fail 22.7% of the time, so this is 10.1pp better than the group it competes with. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (3.8%) and suspension (3.7%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, washers and pins and bushes — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 27 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 6.8% in the 0-30k band and 20.1% in the 150k+ band, a 13.3-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 17.8% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 14.8% in 2021 to 11.6% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every S8 model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 41 | 82.9% | 17.1% | Visibility |
| 1999 | 31 | 80.7% | 19.4% | Brakes |
| 2000 | 36 | 80.6% | 19.4% | Suspension |
| 2001 | 71 | 77.5% | 22.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2002 | 140 | 82.9% | 17.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 122 | 89.3% | 10.7% | Suspension |
| 2007 | 173 | 86.1% | 13.9% | Emissions & environmental |
| 2008 | 140 | 87.9% | 12.1% | Visibility |
| 2009 | 45 | 86.7% | 13.3% | Visibility |
| 2012 | 34 | 91.2% | 8.8% | Tyres |
| 2013 | 83 | 92.8% | 7.2% | Tyres |
| 2014 | 61 | 98.4% | 1.6% | Tyres |
| 2015 | 34 | 91.2% | 8.8% | Other defects |
| 2020 | 71 | 94.4% | 5.6% | Tyres |
| 2021 | 53 | 90.6% | 9.4% | Tyres |
| 2022 | 42 | 92.9% | 7.1% | Tyres |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 3.8% | 47 |
| 2 | Suspension | 3.7% | 46 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 3.3% | 41 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.2% | 40 |
| 5 | Tyres | 3.0% | 37 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 2.6% | 32 |
| 7 | Visibility | 2.3% | 29 |
| 8 | Steering | 0.8% | 10 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 27 |
| 2 | Washers | 27 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 26 |
| 4 | Joints | 26 |
| 5 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 20 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 18 |
| 7 | Position lamp | 17 |
| 8 | Brake pads | 14 |
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 | 17.8% | 223 |
| 2 | Suspension | 14.6% | 182 |
| 3 | Brakes | 12.7% | 158 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 9.3% | 116 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 95 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 5.0% | 62 |
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 | 132 | 6.8% |
| 30-60k | 208 | 10.6% |
| 60-90k | 252 | 9.5% |
| 90-120k | 280 | 11.8% |
| 120-150k | 179 | 16.2% |
| 150k+ | 194 | 20.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 229 | 14.8% |
| 2022 | 220 | 12.7% |
| 2023 | 240 | 11.7% |
| 2024 | 268 | 12.7% |
| 2025 | 292 | 11.6% |
What to check before buying a Audi S8
- Lighting & signalling (3.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (3.7% 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.
- Emissions & environmental (3.3% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi S8?
87.4% of the 1,249 Audi S8 MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 12.7% fail rate, across model years 1997–2023.
What does the Audi S8 most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 3.8% of tests, then suspension (3.7%).
How much does mileage affect S8 MOT results?
Fail rates run at 6.8% for cars in the 0-30k band and 20.1% for 150k+, a 13.3-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,249 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.