2001 Audi A8 2.8L Petrol · V6 XAR
2001 Audi A8 (2.8L, petrol). First registered 01/03/2001. Recorded mileage 156,650 miles. MOT status: Failed. Currently declared SORN. A manufacturer safety recall is currently outstanding.
- Make & Model
- AUDI A8
- Year / Origin
- 2001 · Worcester
- Safety Recall
- Recall Notice
- MOT Status
- Failed
- Road Tax
- SORN
- Recorded Mileage
- 156,650 mi
- ULEZ Compliance
- Check Required (Pre-Euro 4 Petrol)
- Fuel & Engine
- PETROL · 2.8L
- Reliability Guide
- Common Faults
Outstanding Safety Recall Notice
Action RequiredOfficial DVSA telemetry indicates this vehicle has an unaddressed manufacturer safety recall. Remedial repairs are legally required to be carried out 100% free of charge by an authorised main dealer.
- Fuel Type
- PETROL
- Year
- 2001
- Engine
- 2771cc
V6 XAR Key Findings
- 1 MOT test recorded
- Outstanding manufacturer safety recall notice
- Latest MOT failed on 17/01/2023
- 156,650 miles recorded at latest MOT
- 1 historical MOT failure
- 15 defects noted at the latest MOT
Derived directly from the recorded DVSA and DVLA data shown on this page.
MOT Roadworthiness: Poor
This rating reflects historical MOT pass rates and recurring advisory wear patterns from official DVSA test logs. Note that roadworthiness does not verify outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen records.
Verify lender finance agreements, insurance write-offs, police stolen registers, and mileage rollback.
Technical Specifications
Core Specifications
Identification & Status
Dimensions & Weights
Diagnostic & Valuation Intelligence
Estimate current market value
Generate an instant valuation benchmark based on live market listings, vehicle mileage, and recent dealer auction figures.
V6 XAR MOT History
Interpretation generated from the recorded test data above — not an official DVSA statement and not a substitute for an independent inspection.
1 MOT test are recorded for this 2001 Audi A8 (V6 XAR) between January 2023 and January 2023.
The record contains 0 passes and 1 failure.
The most recent test on 17 January 2023 was a fail; the vehicle has not passed its last recorded MOT.
Across all tests, the most frequently flagged areas are: Brakes (5 issues), Lighting (3 issues), Exhaust & Emissions (2 issues), Tyres (2 issues), Suspension (1 issue). Repeated mentions in one area can indicate an ongoing pattern worth checking in person.
In total 7 advisory notices are recorded. Advisories flag items that passed but may need attention before the next test; they are not evidence of how well the vehicle has been serviced.
Recorded failure items include: “Offside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))”; “Nearside Front Service brake excessively binding (1.2.1 (f))”; “Electronic stability control warning lamp indicates a fault (7.12 (e))”.
Buyer's Guide & Inspection Advisory
Expert automotive synthesis from historical MOT defect records and market benchmarks.
Our Verdict
Exercise extreme caution before consider
A thorough mechanical inspection is essential. The 2023 MOT failure indicates multiple simultaneous issues, including ABS and Electronic Stability Control faults, which can be expensive to diagnose and repair on a luxury saloon of this era. You should request evidence of any work carried out to rectify the braking and exhaust issues noted in the January 2023 report.
Negotiate based on the potential cost of addressing the documented corrosion on the rear sub-frame and anti-roll bar. Ensure that the supplementary restraint system (SRS) fault has been professionally addressed, as this relates to airbag safety. Given the complexity of the 2.8L petrol engine and the associated electronics, a pre-purchase inspection by a specialist is strongly recommended.
Running costs for this 2771cc petrol Audi A8 are expected to be high. As a large luxury executive car, insurance groups tend to be higher, and fuel economy will be relatively low compared to modern equivalents.
Maintenance costs are a significant factor; the extensive list of MOT failures—ranging from suspension ball joints to brake efficiency—suggests that parts and labour for this model can be costly. Expect an annual running cost that accounts for high fuel consumption and the premium pricing of Audi components.
Focus heavily on the braking system and electronic sensors. The 2023 MOT record specifically noted worn/pitted brake discs, binding service brakes, and fluctuating rear brakes, alongside ABS and ESC warning lamps. You must verify that these systems are now fully functional.
Check the underside of the vehicle for the corrosion mentioned in the MOT history, specifically regarding the rear sub-frame and anti-roll bar. Additionally, inspect the suspension components, as the previous test highlighted a severely deteriorated ball joint dust cover, and check the exhaust system for any signs of the leak that caused the previous failure.
This 2001 Audi A8, finished in green, has covered 156,650 miles as of its last recorded test. The most recent MOT in January 2023 was a failure involving a wide range of issues including braking, suspension, and emissions. Given its age and the high number of recorded faults, this vehicle represents a high-risk purchase.
Aggregate data for this model shows an average MOT pass rate of 89.1%, with common failures related to tyres, headlamps, and suspension arms.
Reviewed by the IsItAGoodCar editorial team — Verified automotive analysis synthesized from official vehicle registries.
Data Sources
DVSA
Official MOT test logs & failure reasons
DVLA
Tax, registration & powertrain specs
Experian
Finance, stolen markers & total loss
AI Analysis
Historical fault & advisory patterns
Similar Vehicles
Similar Vehicles Checked Recently
Plate Neighbors
Batch Registration Neighbors (V6XA Series)
Vehicles registered in the same regional DVLA batch as V6XAR.