MOT performance
Audi A4 B8 (2008–2015): MOT pass rate and common failures
Of 223,112 MOT tests on the Audi A4 B8 in 2023–2024 (cars first registered Mar 2008–Aug 2015, on average 11.4 years old at test), 70.7% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, the B8 failed 23% less often than comparable cars. Against the generation that replaced it, the B9, it fails 6% less often once age and mileage are allowed for (0.77× vs 0.82×).
223,112 MOT tests on 114,919 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 70.7% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 223,112 |
| All Audi A4s | 72.8% | n = 527,452 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 0.77× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00; Audi A4 overall 0.81× |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 9.0% | n = 223,112 |
| Average age at test | 11.4 years | n = 223,112 |
| On sale (catalogue) | 2008–2015 | Jan 2008 to Oct 2015 |
B8 against the other Audi A4 generations
Newer generations are younger at test, so their raw pass rates are higher almost by default; the adjusted column compares each with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel.
| Generation | Tests | Average age | First-time pass | vs similar cars | Dangerous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B8 (2008–2015) | 223,112 | 11.4 yrs | 70.7% | -23% | 9.0% |
| B9 (2015–2025) | 167,755 | 5.1 yrs | 83.5% | -18% | 6.2% |
Where the B8 differs
- Steering: the B8 failed 59% less often than the Audi A4 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.19× vs 0.47×).
- Road wheels: the B8 failed 24% less often than the Audi A4 overall, relative to comparable cars (0.71× vs 0.94×).
- Body, chassis and structure: the B8 failed 24% more often than the Audi A4 overall, relative to comparable cars (1.03× vs 0.83×).
| Area | B8 (vs similar) | B9 (vs similar) |
|---|---|---|
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 9.8% (-40%) | 1.6% (-72%) |
| Suspension | 9.4% (-35%) | 4.9% (+39%) |
| Tyres | 8.0% (-1%) | 7.1% (+14%) |
| Body, chassis and structure | 5.3% (+3%) | 0.5% (-52%) |
| Brakes | 4.9% (-49%) | 1.9% (-54%) |
| Driver's view of the road | 3.7% (-32%) | 1.8% (-50%) |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.1% (-27%) | 1.3% (-22%) |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.0% (-34%) | 0.5% (-2%) |
| Steering | 0.6% (-81%) | 0.0% (-94%) |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.5% (-3%) | 0.3% (Same) |
| Road wheels | 0.4% (-29%) | 0.3% (+21%) |
Most common Audi A4 B8 failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | Body, chassis and structure | 3.63% |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Suspension | 3.55% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 3.50% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.35% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 2.26% |
Pass rate by age, by generation
At the same age, the generations can be compared directly.
| Age at test (years) | B8 pass rate (tests) | B9 pass rate (tests) |
|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | — | 87.3% (44,575) |
| 5-6 | — | 82.6% (70,443) |
| 7-8 | 76.5% (24,162) | 79.1% (39,488) |
| 9-10 | 74.2% (63,481) | — |
| 11-12 | 71.0% (56,139) | — |
| 13-15 | 66.0% (74,501) | — |
| 16+ | 63.8% (4,829) | — |
Registration years in the B8
How cars are assigned to a generation
DVSA records don't say which generation a car is, so 73 Auto assigns each test by first-registration date against its catalogue's on-sale dates for the B8 (Jan 2008 to Oct 2015). Cars registered within three months either side of a changeover are left out, because run-out stock of the old model and early cars of the new one are registered in the same months. Some cars near the edges may still be of the neighbouring generation.
Check a specific Audi A4 B8
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.