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P189 FBW

1997 Audi A8

Black Petrol 4172cc
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MOT Status

Valid
Expires22 Dec 2026
Tests32 (19 pass, 13 fail)
Pass rate59.4%

Mileage

154,833 mi
Last recorded154,833 miles
Recorded on23 Dec 2025
Typical for 1997 Audi A8124,164 mi

Above average mileage for this year

4 checks still locked for this Audi
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationP189 FBW
MakeAudi
ModelA8
Year1997
ColourBlack
Fuel typePetrol
Engine4,172cc
View full Audi A8 reliability data Browse other 1997 Audi A8 registrations

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

19 pass 13 fail
Pass 23 Dec 2025 154,833 miles

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Fail 15 Dec 2025 154,833 miles

Emissions unable to be completed (8.2.1.2 (d))

Nearside Front Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Front Direction indicator not working (4.4.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material Front to rear (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Shock absorbers has a reduced damping effect (5.3.2 (d))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Pass 27 Mar 2024 154,720 miles

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Fail 27 Mar 2024 154,720 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre obviously under inflated (5.2.3 (l))

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 2 Mar 2023 152,712 miles

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 24 Feb 2023 152,712 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint excessively worn (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Brake hose excessively damaged (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Windscreen washer not working (3.5 (a))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Rear Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Macpherson strut pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Shock absorbers has light misting of oil (5.3.2 (b))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 4 Feb 2022 151,298 miles

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Fail 4 Feb 2022 151,298 miles

Emissions not tested (8.2.1.2 (d))

Exhaust emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak (8.2.1.1 (b))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (3.5 (a))

Front Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread (0.1 (b))

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm ball joint has slight play (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Pass 14 Jan 2021 149,742 miles

Central Exhaust has a minor leak of exhaust gases (6.1.2 (a))

Nearside Front Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated (5.3.4 (b) (i))

Offside Front Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge Inner and outer edge (5.2.3 (e))

Pass 6 Nov 2019 148,316 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Bumper damage

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Fail 1 Nov 2019 148,316 miles

Offside Rear Tyre has ply or cords exposed (5.2.3 (d) (ii)) DANGEROUS

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Bumper damage

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 5 Nov 2018 146,477 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Nearside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Nearside Non obligatory mirror damaged ()

Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Seat belt buckle slightly damaged (7.1.2 (d))

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Pass 20 Oct 2017 144,580 miles

Brake Pad Warning Light on Dash

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Oil Around General Engine Area

Rear Rear Tyres Both Perished

Fail 18 Oct 2017 144,568 miles

Nearside Front Track rod end ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt (2.2.C.1c)

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Offside Front Tyre has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (4.1.D.1a)

Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (8.2.3)

Brake Pad Warning Light on Dash

Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Nearside Front Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Oil Around General Engine Area

Rear Rear Tyres Both Perished

Pass 17 Oct 2016 143,239 miles

Nearside Front Front constant velocity joint is slightly worn (2.5.C.1b)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Front tyre has slight cracking.

Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front tyre has slight cracking.

Pass 17 Oct 2015 141,942 miles

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Obligatory mirror damaged, but not seriously affecting the rear view (8.1.2a)

Offside Rear Tyre has slight cracking.

Slight oil leak.

Fail 13 Oct 2015 141,940 miles

Direction indicators not working (1.4.A.2c)

Horn not working (1.6.2a)

Nearside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Front Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (1.7.5a)

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Rear Tyre has slight cracking.

Slight oil leak.

Pass 10 Oct 2014 140,593 miles

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front Upper Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Fail 3 Oct 2014 140,593 miles

Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)

Nearside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g)

Nearside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Offside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter deteriorated, but preventing the ingress of dirt (2.5.C.1a)

Pass 18 Sep 2013 138,900 miles
Fail 28 Aug 2013 138,794 miles

Nearside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Outer Front constant velocity joint gaiter damaged to the extent that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc (2.5.C.1a)

Nearside Steering system fouling (2.2.D.2a)

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Brake pad warning light on

Pass 4 Sep 2012 136,328 miles
Fail 30 Aug 2012 136,326 miles

Nearside Rear Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Nearside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Offside Track rod end ball joint has excessive play (2.2.B.1f)

Pass 22 Aug 2011 132,784 miles

Nearside Inner Front Upper Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Outer Front Upper Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Pass 29 Jul 2010 118,504 miles

Child seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Nail in nearside rear tyre

Oil leak

Pass 15 Aug 2009 114,085 miles
Fail 15 Aug 2009 114,082 miles

Nearside Front position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Nearside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Offside Front suspension has excessive play in a upper suspension ball joint (2.5.B.1a)

Offside Headlamp aim too low (1.8)

Offside Rear position lamp(s) excessively deteriorated so that it is not visible from a reasonable distance (1.1.A.3d)

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)

Both from upper arm bushes split. slight play

N/S/R pads 70-80% worn

Oil leak from engine

Oil leak from rear diff

Pass 20 Aug 2008 105,231 miles

Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

both rear tyres cracking inside of tread

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (3.5.1i)

Pass 20 Aug 2007 95,353 miles

nearside front brake pipe has been chaffing

Fail 18 Aug 2007 95,871 miles

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b) DANGEROUS

chaffing on nearside front brake pipe

Pass 2 Aug 2006 89,657 miles

airbag light on

Fail 7 Jul 2006 89,123 miles

Offside Front Upper Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

Offside rear parking brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.6a)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) DANGEROUS

How Reliable is the Audi A8?

Based on 262,460 MOT tests across 23,764 vehicles.

82.1%
Pass Rate
7,524
Miles/Year
31
Year Lifespan
23,764
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 6,319
constant velocity joint gaiter split 2,947
Tyre has ply or cords exposed 2,681
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements 2,652
Track rod end ball joint has excessive play 2,244
Full Audi A8 reliability report

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P189 FBW is a 1997 Audi A8 in Black with a 4,172cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 32 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 59.4%.

Across all 1997 Audi A8 models, the average MOT pass rate is 69.0% with a typical mileage of 124,164 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a Audi A8 fails its MOT is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, accounting for 6,319 recorded failures. If you're considering buying P189 FBW, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The Audi A8 typically stays on UK roads for around 31 years. At 29 years old, this Audi A8 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of P189 FBW?

You can check the full history of P189 FBW by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was P189 FBW registered?

P189 FBW is a 1997 Audi A8, first registered on 31 December 1997.

Is P189 FBW safe to buy?

The MOT history for P189 FBW shows 32 tests with a 59.4% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does P189 FBW have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on P189 FBW. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.