Audi 90 (1986)
1986 Audi 90
CarHunch analysed 131 real MOT records for the 1986 Audi 90. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1986 Audi 90 has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 58.1%, well below the UK average of 80%, which signals that these cars are ageing poorly and will need real money spent on repairs before they pass. The dangerous defect rate of 14.5% is moderate for a car of this age, but the average vehicle still racks up 1.89 failures per test—expect multiple visits to the workshop and a median CarHunch score of 50 reflects genuine reliability concerns.
With a median mileage of 125,000 miles for a 38-year-old car, these examples are not unusually high-mileage, yet they're still racking up an average of 8.5 advisories per test, pointing to cumulative wear in suspension, exhaust, and brake systems rather than abuse. If you're considering one, budget for several hundred pounds in pre-purchase inspection and factor in that this will be a money-pit restoration rather than a cost-effective classic runabout.
What to check before buying a 1986 Audi 90
Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.
- 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
- 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
- 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
- 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.
Before you buy a Audi 90
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Mileage Distribution
Most 1986 Audi 90 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.
Half of all 1986 Audi 90 vehicles fall between 99,130 and 148,216 miles.
1986 Audi 90 — Still on the Road
12 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 — 60% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1986 Audi 90
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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38.6%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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21.4%
Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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20.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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17%
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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16.1%
Nearside Rear wheel bearing has slight play
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14.2%
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded
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14%
Fuel pipe/s corroded
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1986. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Audi 90?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.