Audi A8 (2003)
2003 Audi A8
CarHunch analysed 828 real MOT records for the 2003 Audi A8. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2003 Audi A8 sits just above the UK average at 81.3% first-time pass rate, but here's the concern: over a quarter of these cars (26.3%) have recorded a dangerous defect at some point, which is significantly higher than typical and should give any potential buyer pause. Petrol and diesel variants perform almost identically, both around 81% pass rate, so fuel choice won't materially affect reliability here.
These A8s are running at 94,410 miles on average—reasonable for their age—yet they're averaging 2.76 failures per test and a hefty 12.6 advisories, suggesting wear-related issues are commonplace. Before committing to one, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on suspension, electrical systems, and transmission, as luxury German saloons of this era tend to accumulate expensive problems quickly once warranty cover expires.
What to check before buying a 2003 Audi A8
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.
- ⚠️ 26.3% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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 A8
MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (76%) | 626 | 81% | 2.82 |
| Diesel (22%) | 185 | 81.8% | 2.64 |
| LPG (2%) | 13 | 82.1% | 2.38 |
| Gas Bi-Fuel (0%) | 4 | 88.8% | 1.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2003 Audi A8 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 2003 Audi A8 vehicles fall between 73,143 and 109,095 miles.
2003 Audi A8 — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 86 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 (16% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2003 Audi A8
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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63.4%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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62%
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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58.1%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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56.7%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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42.1%
Oil leak
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37.9%
Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components
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32.8%
Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay
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25.9%
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2003. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Audi A8?
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