2008 Audi A8 MOT pass rate: 85.7% (1,988 tests)
Is the 2008 A8 getting worse?
Pass rate of 2008-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 85.8% +20.4 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 85.1% +20.3 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 86.3% +21.2 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2008 A8
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 149 | 22.2% |
| 2 | Tyres | 121 | 18.1% |
| 3 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 108 | 16.1% |
| 4 | Brakes | 108 | 16.1% |
| 5 | Visibility | 67 | 10.0% |
| 6 | Noise, emissions and leaks | 51 | 7.6% |
All A8 years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 1,654 | 82.1% | +17.0 pts | 145,168 |
| 2008 (this page) | 1,988 | 85.7% | +20.6 pts | 141,035 |
| 2011 | 2,118 | 89.3% | +20.2 pts | 118,580 |
| 2012 | 2,154 | 89.6% | +18.3 pts | 111,518 |
| 2013 | 2,170 | 90.5% | +17.1 pts | 100,020 |
| 2014 | 2,564 | 92.4% | +16.5 pts | 94,841 |
| 2015 | 2,862 | 92.2% | +13.5 pts | 82,082 |
| 2016 | 2,669 | 92.3% | +11.0 pts | 70,964 |
| 2017 | 1,976 | 93.4% | +9.4 pts | 62,706 |
| 2018 | 2,882 | 93.4% | +7.1 pts | 52,679 |
| 2019 | 2,138 | 94.5% | +6.1 pts | 45,554 |
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FAQs
Is a 2008 Audi A8 reliable?
2008-registered examples passed 85.7% of their MOT tests (1,988 tests, 2023–2025), +20.6 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 18 years old with a median 141,035 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2008 A8?
The median tested example shows 141,035 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.