How much does a 1998 AUDI A8 cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1998 AUDI A8?

The 1998 AUDI A8 has a 80% MOT pass rate based on 122 tests in 2026. This ranks 98 out of 340 cars from 1998.

Which year AUDI A8 is most reliable?

The 2021 AUDI A8 has the highest MOT pass rate at 98%. The least reliable year is 2000 at 77%.

AUDI A8 (1998)

Q: Is the 1998 AUDI A8 reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 80% of AUDI A8s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 122 tests. That's 2 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1998 AUDI A8?

The average mileage for a 1998 AUDI A8 is 136,028 miles, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 122 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,757

£230/month

MOT Pass Rate

80%

Good

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4172cc Petrol

Solid Option

80% pass rate, £2757/year to run. Close to the national average.

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Petrol4172cc28 years old122 tests136k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4172cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4172cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£2,757

Per month£230/mo

Per week£53/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

80% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's close to the national average of 82%. It falls below the AUDI brand average of 90%.

At 28 years old, 80% of AUDI A8s from 1998 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 122 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 136,028 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1998 cars98th of 340(top 29%)

Rank among AUDI models972th of 1,079(top 90%)

vs national average-2%(82% avg)

vs 1998 cars average+5%(75% avg)

vs AUDI average-10%(90% avg)

Mileage Analysis

136,028

Average miles

207,200

Expected for age

The average 1998 AUDI A8 has 136,028 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 207,200 miles for a 28-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2021 model with a 98% MOT pass rate, while the 2000 model has the lowest at 77%. The 1998 sits between the two at 80%.

AUDI A8 by Year

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

Similar Cars to Consider

JAGUAR XK8

1997 · 3995cc Petrol

£2,247/year

81%

+1%

JAGUAR XJ

1998 · 3980cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

-3%

PORSCHE 911

1997 · 3800cc Petrol

£2,097/year

90%

+10%

LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER

1999 · 3950cc Petrol

£2,397/year

79%

-1%

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About the 1998 AUDI A8

The 1998 AUDI A8 is a premium performance with a 4172cc petrol engine. 122 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1998, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 136,028 miles at 28 years old, AUDI A8 owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

1998 AUDI A8 Fuel Costs

The 4172cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1998 AUDI A8?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,757 (£230/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 80% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

AUDI A8 Reliability Trend

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

Buying a Used 1998 AUDI A8

At 28 years old, the AUDI A8 is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2021 model has the highest pass rate at 98%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1998 AUDI A8's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 28 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Watch out

With an average of 136k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Engine Mounts

Medium risk

Worn engine mounts cause excessive vibration and movement. Replacement costs £150-£400 per mount. Check for vibration at idle with the bonnet open.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1998 AUDI A8 stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
AUDI A8(1998)	80%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2757
JAGUAR XK8(1997)	81%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£510
JAGUAR XJ(1998)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360
PORSCHE 911(1997)	90%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2097-£660
LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER(1999)	79%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£360

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.