Is the Audi A8 reliable?

The Audi A8 has an average MOT pass rate of 88% across 26 years, based on 23,959 tests in 2026. That's 6 points above the national average of 82%. The most reliable year is 2021 with a 98% pass rate.

Which year Audi A8 is best?

The 2021 Audi A8 has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%, while the 1996 model has the lowest at 74%. There's a 24 percentage point spread between the best and worst years.

Audi A8

Reliability, running costs, and MOT data across 26 years from 23,959 real MOT tests.

Avg Pass Rate

88%

Total Tests

23,959

Best Year

2021 (98%)

Years Covered

About the Audi A8

The Audi A8 has been tested 23,959 times in 2026 MOT data across 26 model years (1996 to 2021), with an average pass rate of 88%. That's comfortably above the national average of 82%, making it a reliable choice. Available as diesel and petrol.

Best and Worst Years

The 2021 model is the most reliable with a 98% pass rate from 170 tests. The 1996 model has the lowest at 74%. With a 24 point spread, choosing the right year makes a big difference to reliability.

Reliability Trend

Newer AUDI A8s show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 10 percentage points.

Mileage Across Years

The oldest model in our data (1996) averages 135,336 miles, while the newest (2021) averages 35,071 miles. Older models have covered serious mileage, so suspension and drivetrain wear are worth checking.

Estimated Running Costs

Fuel (Diesel, 2967cc)

£1,245

Road Tax

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£200

Total per year£1,695

Per month£141/mo

Based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT pass rate data. Insurance not included.

Full 2021 details

How reliable is the Audi A8?

vs national average+6% (82% avg)

vs Audi brand average-2% (90% avg)

Best to worst year spread24 percentage points

Reliability trendImproving over years

Audi A8 by Year

Click any year to see detailed running costs, reliability data, and comparisons with similar cars.

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2021	98%	170	35,071 mi
2020	96%	599	39,317 mi
2019	95%	1,932	50,413 mi
2018	95%	2,387	59,736 mi
2017	95%	1,392	72,207 mi
2016	94%	1,876	80,025 mi
2015	93%	2,300	85,475 mi
2014	94%	1,889	98,201 mi
2013	91%	1,562	108,280 mi
2012	92%	1,468	113,405 mi
2011	93%	1,392	120,960 mi
2010	87%	933	124,272 mi
2009	89%	735	138,957 mi
2008	87%	1,332	140,305 mi
2007	86%	1,124	147,303 mi
2006	85%	748	146,966 mi
2005	87%	661	142,434 mi
2004	80%	349	134,086 mi
2003	84%	223	134,224 mi
2002	84%	166	137,356 mi
2001	85%	157	141,044 mi
2000	77%	104	143,697 mi
1999	80%	192	140,354 mi
1998	80%	122	136,028 mi
1997	79%	115	131,393 mi
1996	74%	31	135,336 mi