Diesel Audi A8: MOT pass rate

89.8% of diesel Audi A8s pass the MOT first time, measured across 8,809 DVSA tests on that fuel type alone. Average mileage at test was 106,869.

Diesel against the other Audi A8 versions

Why the fuel type changes the number

Diesels carry DPFs, EGR valves and stricter smoke limits, so emissions and exhaust faults account for failures petrol cars never see.

On the Audi A8 specifically, diesel is the strongest at 89.8%, and this diesel version sits 0.6 points above the 89.2% model average.

What it means if you are buying one

There is little to choose between fuel types on this model, so decide on running costs and mileage rather than MOT record. Buying a damaged one? run it through the analyzer, check the exact car, decode the VIN and check the mileage before you bid.

Mileage is part of the answer

The average diesel Audi A8 had covered 106,869 miles at test, against 94,877 for the petrol. That is above average and into the range where cambelts and water pumps are due if they have not already been done, so ask for the service history rather than take the mileage on trust.

Fuel type and mileage are tangled together: diesels are usually bought by higher-mileage drivers, so some of any gap between fuels is the miles rather than the engine. The per-year figures on the Audi A8 page separate age from fuel if you want to isolate one.

Most common MOT failures on a diesel Audi A8

1. Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator, 0.5% of tests (2.27x the national rate for this defect)
2. Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements, 0.3% of tests (1.89x the national rate for this defect)
3. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 2.7% of tests
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 2.3% of tests
5. A tyre seriously damaged, 2% of tests
6. A tyre cords visible or damaged, 1.5% of tests
7. Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction, 1% of tests
8. Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen, 0.9% of tests
9. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 0.8% of tests
10. Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen, 0.6% of tests

From 8,862 DVSA-tracked diesel Audi A8 tests, 2024, split out from the Audi A8's other fuel types. DVSA testers marked 5.65% of these flagged defects as "dangerous", against 5.11% nationally. See which fuel type fails on the most dangerous defects nationally for how that compares across the whole fleet.

Most common MOT advisories on a diesel Audi A8

Flagged but doesn't fail the car, a different list from the failures above.

1. A shock absorber bush excessively worn, 0.7% of tests (1.4x the national rate for this defect)
2. A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn, 16.5% of tests (1.23x the national rate for this defect), also fails
3. Brake disc or drum significantly and obviously worn, 3.9% of tests (1.21x the national rate for this defect)
4. Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements, 25.6% of tests, also fails
5. Brake disc or drum excessively weakened, insecure or fractured, 9.8% of tests
6. A tyre seriously damaged, 7.8% of tests, also fails
7. a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm, 5.7% of tests, also fails
8. Fluid leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users, 3.1% of tests
9. Number plate inscription missing or illegible, 1.7% of tests
10. A suspension component excessively damaged or corroded, 1.6% of tests

From 8,862 DVSA-tracked diesel Audi A8 tests, 2024.

Other Audi A8 fuel types

• Petrol Audi A8 - 86.8%

All Audi A8 MOT data · Every model