Audi
Q8
8,082 MOT tests analysed. sits above the UK fleet average — here's where Q8s pass, fail, and end up on the retest sheet.
That's 15.9 points above the UK fleet average across our 1,984 tracked models — a confident result.
Pass
93.4%
Pass-after-fix
1.4%
Fail
4.5%
Avg miles
48,119
Pass + Pass-after-fix + Fail = 100%
Diesel cars registered from September 2015 generally meet Euro 6 — compliant in London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ, Bristol CAZ, and Glasgow LEZ.
The picture
Q8: a strong MOT record by UK norms
Across 3,033 MOT tests, the Q8 returns 90.3% first-time pass — comfortably ahead of the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is a seriously damaged tyre. Tyre tread under the limit and windscreen damage round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 39,512, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
ABI Insurance Group
Group 40–50
A high-group car — insurance costs will be significantly above average. Lower groups cost less to insure; UK fleet average is around Group 22.
Source: ABI Group Rating Panel · administered by Thatcham Research · groups cover standard variants; performance trims may sit higher. Browse all insurance groups →
40–50
out of 50
Top ten reasons for rejection.
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- 01
Windscreen or window damaged or seriously discoloured but not adversely affecting driver's view
123 occurrences · 1.5% of tests
- 02
A tyre seriously damaged
93 occurrences · 1.2% of tests
- 03
Wiper blade defective
64 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 04
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements
63 occurrences · 0.8% of tests
- 05
Number plate does not conform to the specified requirements
41 occurrences · 0.5% of tests
- 06
A tyre cords visible or damaged
36 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 07
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
29 occurrences · 0.4% of tests
- 08
Engine MIL illuminated indicating a malfunction
24 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 09
Windscreen or window excessively tinted but not adversely affecting driver's view
24 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
- 10
Brake lining or pad worn down to wear indicator
21 occurrences · 0.3% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 3 failures
£95–£175
If every one of this Q8's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
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Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Item 01 · Amazon UK
Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades
Cheap wipers fail the test on smear streaks. Bosch Aerotwins last a winter and clear a screen properly.
Search Amazon UK
Item 02 · Amazon UK
Digital tyre-tread depth gauge
Five quid for a gauge beats £150 for a retest. UK MOT minimum is 1.6mm — most testers fail anything below 2mm to be safe.
Search Amazon UK
Item 03 · Amazon UK
MOT-spec replacement number plate
Faded or non-standard plates fail outright. Replacements take ten minutes online with V5C details.
Search Amazon UK
My Motor World · affiliate
Parts & supplies for this fix
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Summit
Summit ADRG-215 Audi Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass RHS
£9.89
View at My Motor World →
Summit
Summit ADRG-216 Audi Replacement Stick-On Tinted Mirror Glass LHS
£14.29
View at My Motor World →
Draper Expert
Draper Expert Oil Filter Socket for Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and VW
£18.69
View at My Motor World →
Draper Expert
Draper Expert Audi/VW Drain Plug Key, 1/2" Sq. Dr.
£21.99
View at My Motor World →
Click Mechanic · affiliate
Book a mobile mechanic
Affiliate links — small commission, no extra cost to you.
Mobile mechanic · UK-wide
Book a mechanic at your door.
Fixed-price quotes upfront. No garage needed. Click Mechanic sends a vetted local mechanic to you — home, work, or roadside.
Recall history
9 UK recalls on record.
The Q8 has 9 official UK vehicle recalls covering defect details, remedies, and affected build dates.
Buying or keeping a Q8?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Q8 and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.