Audi A8 - 2003
238.0 faults per 100 tests
Year average for all cars of 2003 is 380.4 faults per 100 tests
Dataset: MOT tests in Great Britain (period: 2024-01-01 to 2025-09-10) for Audi A8, model year 2003.
Sample size: 136 cars, 263 tests and 626 recorded faults.
0%
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Less faults compared to the average car of same model year
Quick summary
Total: 136 cars
The 2003 Audi A8 has an overall defect rate of 238 per 100 vehicles, significantly lower than the average of 378 per 100, representing a 37% improvement. Notably, this model excels in categories such as brakes, steering, and body structure, with defect rates considerably better than the average. For instance, the brake defect rate is 105, compared to the average of 172. However, the A8 shows a higher defect rate in the 62,000–93,000 miles segment, at 429 defects per 100 vehicles, indicating potential mileage-related issues that may arise as vehicles age. Overall, the Audi A8 demonstrates strong reliability in critical areas, making it a solid choice among cars of its year.
Cars by mileage segment
Total: 136 cars
Categories
Brakes
▲ 38.0% better
104.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 169.3 / 100 tests
- Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
- Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
- Brake hose ferrules: excessively corroded
- Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
- Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
Steering
▲ 84.9% better
3.8 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 25.2 / 100 tests
- Free play in the steering, measured at the rim of the steering wheel is: excessive
- A steering ball joint: with excessive wear or free play
- Power steering fluid leaking or system malfunctioning
Visibility
▲ 10.7% better
26.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 29.8 / 100 tests
- Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured: but not adversely affecting driver’s view
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- A bonnet: which cannot be safely secured in the closed position
- Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
- Obligatory mirror or device: slightly damaged or loose
Lights & Electrics
▲ 29.0% better
73.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 102.8 / 100 tests
- A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
- Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
- The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
- Product on the lens or light source which obviously reduces light intensity or changes emitted colour to other than white or yellow
- Headlamp reflector or lens: slightly defective
Wheels & Suspension
▲ 37.6% better
188.6 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 302.1 / 100 tests
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
- A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
- A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
- Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
- A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
Body/Structure
▲ 51.1% better
31.9 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 65.2 / 100 tests
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
- A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: missing, split, insecure or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt
Equipment
▲ 77.9% better
3.0 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 13.6 / 100 tests
- Audible warning control insecure
- Audible warning not in accordance with requirements
- ESC MIL indicates a system malfunction
Other
▲ 16.3% better
44.1 faults / 100 tests
Year avg: 52.7 / 100 tests
- Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
- An induction or exhaust leak that could affect emissions levels
- Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
- Engine MIL inoperative or indicating a malfunction
- Emissions levels exceed default limits
Fault rate by mileage segment
Model
Year average
* Metric: faults per 100 tests.
Most common faults (Top 10)
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 94
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 80
Fluid: leaking excessively and likely to harm the environment or to pose a safety risk to other road users
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 48
Brake disc or drum: insecure, fractured or otherwise likely to fail
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 33
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 30
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 26
Brake disc or drum: significantly and obviously worn
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 21
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot: severely deteriorated
MINOR
Occurrences: 20
Exhaust system has a major leak or is insecure
ADVISORY
Occurrences: 19
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative: when rear registration plate has 2 or more lamps or light sources
MINOR
Occurrences: 19
Serious faults (Top 10)
A suspension pin, bush, joint or bearing: excessively worn
FAIL
Occurrences: 15
Lamp: missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than a half not functioning
FAIL
Occurrences: 10
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen
FAIL
Occurrences: 9
A tyre: with a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords
FAIL
Occurrences: 7
Beam image obviously incorrect
FAIL
Occurrences: 5
Brake lining or pad: worn below 1.5mm
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Lambda coefficient outside the default limits or the range specified by the manufacturer
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Rear registration plate lamp does not illuminate simultaneously with the position lamps
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
A tyre: with a lump, bulge or tear … or with cords exposed or damaged
FAIL
Occurrences: 4
Warning device shows system malfunction
FAIL
Occurrences: 4