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Audi R8 reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 24,428 MOT tests of cars first registered 2007–2018.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
89.2%pass first time
+11.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 99%of cars
24,428MOT tests

Verdict

The Audi R8 passes its MOT first time on 89.2% of tests, 11.6 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (77.6%). That puts it ahead of 99% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2014 R8 does best (beats 100% of cars) and the 2018 worst (beats 97%).

Of its engines, the 4.2 Petrol does best (beats 100%) and the 5.2 Petrol worst (beats 99%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, suspension, tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Rear fog light7.9×as often as a typical car
Shock absorbers3.0×as often as a typical car
Number plates5.3×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

60%70%80%90%100%34567891011121314151694%93%91%91%88%87%88%
Audi R8Typical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2007
Beats 100%
2008
Beats 100%
2009
Beats 99%
2010
Beats 99%
2011
Beats 98%
2013
Beats 100%
2014
Beats 100%
2015
Beats 98%
2016
Beats 100%
2017
Beats 98%
2018
Beats 97%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol2010–201815,27391.3%Beats 99%A
4.2 Petrol2007–20099,15585.7%Beats 100%A

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 2.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 3.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 2.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 3.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.2 ptsTyres: 2.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.2 ptsBrakes: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.6 ptsSuspension: 2.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.9 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 ptsSuspension: 2.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 2.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 3.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 3.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 7.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+4.2 ptsTyres: 2.2% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+2.2 ptsBrakes: 1.8% of tests fail on brakes, against 4.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+2.6 ptsSuspension: 2.5% of tests fail on suspension, against 6.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+3.9 ptsExhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 1.1% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 1.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
3.7% vs 7.9%
Suspension
2.5% vs 6.3%
Tyres
2.2% vs 4.4%
Brakes
1.8% vs 4.5%
Emissions & leaks
1.1% vs 1.8%
Visibility
0.8% vs 4.3%
Body & structure
0.3% vs 2.1%
Seat belts & airbags
0.2% vs 0.5%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.2%
Steering
0.1% vs 0.9%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Shock absorbers 3.0× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)
    Check past MOT emissions readings in the car's history: rising readings can mean catalyst or sensor problems.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k95%93%90%89%87%85%84%
Audi R8Typical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Rear fog light2.5%0.3%7.9×
Shock absorbers2.0%0.7%3.0×
Number plates1.2%0.2%5.3×
Tyre damage & cracking1.1%2.8%0.4×
Tyre tread depth0.8%1.3%0.7×
Headlight aim0.8%2.2%0.3×
Exhaust emissions (catalyst)0.6%0.6%0.9×
Brake pads0.5%1.0%0.4×
Windscreen washers0.4%1.6%0.3×
Engine warning light0.4%0.7%0.6×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning24.3
A shock absorber damaged to the extent that it does not function or showing signs of severe leakage19.3
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements9.1
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements8.2
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements7.7
A tyre seriously damaged7.6
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement4.3
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction4.3
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2018 Audi R81 engine93.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol1,57493.5%Beats 97%A
2017 Audi R81 engine93.3% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol2,17993.3%Beats 98%A
2016 Audi R81 engine93.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol2,72393.7%Beats 100%A
2015 Audi R81 engine91.6% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol1,44891.6%Beats 98%A
2014 Audi R81 engine94.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol1,39194.0%Beats 100%A
2013 Audi R81 engine91.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol1,44791.8%Beats 100%A
2011 Audi R81 engine87.5% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol1,73487.5%Beats 98%A
2010 Audi R81 engine86.9% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
5.2 Petrol2,77786.9%Beats 99%A
2009 Audi R81 engine86.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol1,68886.4%Beats 99%A
2008 Audi R81 engine85.8% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol4,90285.8%Beats 100%A
2007 Audi R81 engine85.0% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
4.2 Petrol2,56585.0%Beats 100%A

FAQ

What is the Audi R8 MOT pass rate?

89.2% of MOT tests on the Audi R8 were passed first time, based on 24,428 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 2007–2018. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 77.6% of the time.

Is the Audi R8 reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 99% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Audi R8 year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2014 R8 does best for its age and mileage: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 2018 does worst: it beats 97%.

Which Audi R8 engine is best?

Across all years, the 4.2 Petrol does best: it beats 100% of cars on UK roads. The 5.2 Petrol does worst: it beats 99%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Audi R8?

The most common failure items are rear fog light, shock absorbers, number plates. Compared with similar cars, rear fog light comes up 7.9× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.