Used car guide

2020 Audi A8: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Audi A8 first registered in 2020: we looked at the 1,198 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,198MOTs of 2020 cars, done in 2023–2025
92%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 87%)
9,800typical miles a year
18%had tyres flagged

Common 2020 Audi A8 MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Audi A8 MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    18% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    9% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    3% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Lights and electrics
    1% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    1% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Audi A8

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Audi A8?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Audi A8 compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
2023299Tyres 8%
2022288Tyres 15%
2021604Tyres 15%
20192,195Tyres 18%
20182,898Tyres 19%
20171,990Tyres 20%
20162,680Tyres 20%
20152,877Tyres 20%
20142,574Tyres 20%
20132,185Tyres 23%
20122,176Tyres 23%
20112,135Tyres 24%
20101,391Suspension 27%
20091,149Tyres 25%
20082,004Tyres 26%
20071,669Tyres 30%
20061,148Tyres 27%
20051,005Tyres 30%
2004618Suspension 32%
2003349Tyres 31%
2002308Suspension 33%
2001275Suspension 38%
2000196Suspension 44%
1999167Suspension 40%
1998134Suspension 50%
1997–Too few tests
1996–Too few tests
1995–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Audi A8 cars first registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score