Used car guide · 1981–2008

Audi 80 common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Audi 80, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 1,749 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

The 1981 Audi 80

Our MOT figures start with cars first registered in 1990. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Audi 80 as a whole.

12on the UK register at the end of 2025
ProbablyMOT-exempt (40+ years old), unless substantially changed
Petrolfuel type
What to check on a 1981 car
  • Rust and structure

    Look underneath at the sills, floor, chassis rails and jacking points. Rust in the structure costs far more to fix than paint bubbles.

  • MOT-exempt isn’t roadworthy

    Cars over 40 don’t need an MOT, but they must still be safe. A voluntary MOT or a specialist inspection is worth the money.

  • Paperwork

    Old MOT certificates, bills and restoration photos show how it has been looked after. Check the logbook matches the car’s VIN and engine number.

  • Originality

    Changes from standard affect value and insurance. Ask what has been replaced or modified.

  • Insurance

    Classic insurance is often cheaper but may limit mileage and use. Get a quote before you buy.

Other years

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

20081999199519941993199219911990198919881987198619851984198319821981

What usually goes wrong with an Audi 80?

We haven’t found widely reported faults for the Audi 80 in the UK buying guides we use yet. That doesn’t mean it has none, so check the car carefully and look at the MOT weak spots below.

Common Audi 80 MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 4.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Flexible brake hoses

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Brake discs

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994.

    Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

  • Wheel bearings

    up to 2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1994.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

Audi 80 MOT pass rate by year

Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
199970%63% +7107 (small sample)
199563%67% -4336 (small sample)
199464%67% -3735
199360%68% -8362 (small sample)
199261%69% -8209 (small sample)

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Audi 80

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.6× as often on the Audi 80 as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Audi 80 as on other cars the same age.)
  3. Any recent work on the flexible brake hoses? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Audi 80 as on other cars the same age.)
  4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at an Audi 80?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score