Audi S8 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi S8 car check
Is the Audi S8 reliable? We analysed 5,839 real MOT tests across 475 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi S8? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi S8 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, constant velocity joint gaiter split and tyre has ply or cords exposed. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi S8.
Audi S8 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi S8. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi S8 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi S8 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi S8 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Audi S8 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Audi S8 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi S8 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi S8 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi S8 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 76 | 86.8% | 30,423 | 48,214 | 68,546 |
| 2014 | 128 | 95.3% | 32,677 | 51,341 | 71,132 |
| 2013 | 172 | 88.4% | 39,601 | 59,516 | 77,614 |
| 2012 | 77 | 94.8% | 43,217 | 53,159 | 78,002 |
| 2009 | 140 | 84.3% | 80,811 | 96,142 | 116,225 |
| 2008 | 541 | 82.8% | 52,178 | 77,886 | 105,198 |
| 2007 | 677 | 81.7% | 52,942 | 81,238 | 107,333 |
| 2006 | 581 | 85.9% | 52,094 | 81,986 | 106,024 |
| 2003 | 64 | 70.3% | 80,783 | 104,167 | 139,517 |
| 2002 | 1,138 | 74.9% | 66,554 | 97,374 | 135,466 |
| 2001 | 631 | 74.8% | 77,658 | 105,878 | 141,284 |
| 2000 | 395 | 72.4% | 92,749 | 118,911 | 151,178 |
| 1999 | 339 | 72.3% | 88,930 | 115,040 | 137,019 |
| 1998 | 539 | 68.6% | 96,388 | 125,595 | 156,950 |
| 1997 | 205 | 73.7% | 93,823 | 119,055 | 142,753 |
How Long Does a Audi S8 Last?
Based on 475 Audi S8 vehicles on UK roads.
Audi S8 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi S8 MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Audi S8
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
95.3% MOT pass rate from 128 tests
68.6% MOT pass rate from 539 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi S8 is 2014, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 95.3% across 128 tests. The 1998 model year has the lowest pass rate at 68.6% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi S8 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi S8 THIS CAR | 78.2% | 5,839 | 94,276 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi A3 | 78% | 7,415,025 | 78,776 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi A4 | 76.1% | 7,096,957 | 96,834 mi | 31 yrs |
| Audi A6 | 78.4% | 2,724,792 | 98,890 mi | 31 yrs |
| Yamaha Mw | 85.9% | 3,518 | 12,082 mi | 12 yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi S8 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi S8 you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Audi S8Should you buy a used Audi S8?
The Audi S8 has an overall MOT pass rate of 78.2% across 5,839 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Audi S8 are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (155 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (120), and tyre has ply or cords exposed (86). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Audi S8 owner drives around 5,181 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Audi S8 models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.