Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2009 Audi A8?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2009 Audi A8?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2009 Audi A8?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

How many 2009 Audi A8 vehicles have had dangerous defects recorded?

30% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Search the registration on CarHunch — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.

Is the 2009 Audi A8 reliable?

Based on MOT data from 681 vehicles, the 2009 Audi A8 has a first-time MOT pass rate of 85.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2009 Audi A8?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2009 Audi A8 are: Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components (58.1% of vehicles), Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (52.1% of vehicles), Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (49.7% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2009 Audi A8?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Audi A8 (2009)

681 real MOT outcomes analysed • 85.9% first-time pass rate

2009 Audi A8

CarHunch analysed 681 real MOT records for the 2009 Audi A8. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution Still on the Road MOT Averages Colour Breakdown Compare Models

The 2009 Audi A8 is slightly more reliable than average, with an 85.9% first-time MOT pass rate compared to the UK average of 80%, though nearly 30% of these cars have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—a significant concern for a premium saloon. Diesel models dominate the cohort and maintain the same 85.9% pass rate, so fuel type isn't a differentiator here. At just under 102,000 miles on average, these cars have covered typical mileage for their age, yet they're racking up an average of 12 advisories per test, suggesting ageing electrics, suspension wear, or trim issues are common. If you're considering one, get a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the electrical and climate control systems—both known weak points on this generation—and factor in the elevated risk of hidden defects.

The 2009 Audi A8 has a decent first-time pass rate (85.9%), but a higher-than-average share of vehicles have had serious defects recorded — the individual vehicle's history matters a lot here.

⚠️ Over 1 in 5 of these vehicles have had a dangerous MOT failure at some point — usually tyres or brakes, and often a one-off issue rather than a persistent problem. The group stats won't tell you which one you're looking at.

First-time pass

85.9%

UK average ~80%

Around average

Dangerous (ever)

29.5%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

Over 13.1 tests on record

High

Typical mileage

99k

Middle half: 77k–123k

For context

✅ Good baseline reliability. A 85.9% first-time pass rate puts this well above the UK average — it's a well-sorted vehicle in this age bracket.

🔧 Expect consumable spend. An average of 12 advisories per vehicle tells you wear items (tyres, brakes) get flagged regularly. Budget for them — they're not surprises.

🔍 The dangerous defect figure is real. Most are one-off tyre failures or brake issues — not structural problems. But it's exactly why checking the individual vehicle's history is essential, not optional.

These stats describe 681 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

Watch for defects — worth knowing

What tends to go wrong

Across 681 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Other issues 58.1%

Under-trays fitted obscuring some underside components · Engine covers fitted obscuring some components in the engine bay · Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' · …

Tyre wear 52.1%

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit · Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 17.3%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 681 Audi A8 cars.

Before you buy a 2009 Audi A8

Based on MOT data from 681 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 29.5% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (89%)	609	85.9%	2.01
Petrol (11%)	72	85.5%	1.89

Colour Breakdown

Based on 23,130 Audi A8 vehicles registered in the UK — across all years. From DVLA registration records.

Black 31.7%

7,340

Silver 22.7%

5,254

Grey 19.3%

4,468

Blue 16.6%

3,842

Green 4.9%

1,144

White 2.1%

497

Red 1.5%

340

Beige 0.5%

113

Gold 0.2%

Purple 0.2%

Brown 0.1%

Maroon 0.1%

Mileage Distribution

Most 2009 Audi A8 vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

98,747

typical

77,306

low mileage

123,264

high mileage

Half of all 2009 Audi A8 vehicles fall between 77,306 and 123,264 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 77,306 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 77,306–123,264 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2009 Audi A8s sit.

⚠ Over 166,406 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

2009 Audi A8 — Still on the Road

Numbers are thinning — 53% of 2009 Audi A8s are still active.

326 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 53% of the peak remain.

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
* The 2020 dip reflects the government's COVID-19 MOT exemption, which allowed certificates to be extended by six months — fewer tests were conducted that year.

MOT History Averages

13.1

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

Avg failures per vehicle

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Audi A8: All A8 years → Which year to buy? →

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Compare with another model

See how the 2009 Audi A8 stacks up against a rival.

Watch for defects — worth knowing