Audi TT: what fails at MOT
182,000 MOT tests on the Audi TT in 2024, counted. 18% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
18% of Audi TT tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 29.1%, so the TT does better than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (3.5% of tests), suspension (3.1% of tests) and tyres (3.1% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5,347 | 8.0% | 10.9% | 17,800 12,300 to 24,600 |
| 2020 | 7,699 | 7.3% | 11.5% | 23,600 15,800 to 31,800 |
| 2019 | 10,152 | 7.0% | 13.4% | 28,900 21,000 to 39,600 |
| 2018 | 7,928 | 7.9% | 15.6% | 37,400 27,800 to 48,400 |
| 2017 | 14,350 | 9.6% | 18.2% | 44,300 32,900 to 56,400 |
| 2016 | 17,187 | 10.0% | 21.3% | 51,500 38,600 to 66,100 |
| 2015 | 17,020 | 11.5% | 24.4% | 59,200 44,400 to 75,300 |
| 2014 | 7,071 | 14.6% | 27.7% | 63,500 47,400 to 81,100 |
| 2013 | 10,872 | 14.9% | 30.6% | 70,000 53,200 to 88,900 |
| 2012 | 9,403 | 16.3% | 33.4% | 77,300 58,600 to 96,500 |
| 2011 | 11,485 | 21.2% | 36.1% | 83,800 64,700 to 104,900 |
| 2010 | 10,867 | 24.2% | 38.6% | 91,400 70,300 to 115,800 |
| 2009 | 10,438 | 23.2% | 39.8% | 96,400 75,700 to 119,300 |
| 2008 | 12,265 | 28.6% | 41.5% | 101,000 78,700 to 122,600 |
| 2007 | 13,284 | 29.6% | 41.5% | 103,300 81,400 to 126,300 |
| 2006 | 4,440 | 36.2% | 42.4% | 105,400 83,800 to 127,200 |
| 2005 | 5,295 | 37.8% | 42.2% | 101,700 77,400 to 125,200 |
| 2004 | 6,875 | 38.2% | 42.3% | 105,000 82,600 to 126,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Audi TT tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | TT | Cars its age | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 3.5% | 8.3% | Less than most |
| Suspension | 3.1% | 6.8% | Less than most |
| Tyres | 3.1% | 4.4% | Less than most |
| Brakes | 2.5% | 5.0% | Less than most |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.5% | 2.4% | Less than most |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.5% | 3.2% | Less than most |
| Body and structure | 1.1% | 2.7% | Less than most |
| Seat belts and airbags | 0.6% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.9%
- Tyre tread1.4%
- Side light1.2%
- Engine warning light1.1%
- Coil spring1.0%
- Headlamp aim1.0%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover0.8%
- Footbrake0.8%
- Washers0.8%
- Wipers0.7%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.4%
- Side light: not working1.1%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.1%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken1.0%
- Linkage ball joint dust cover: ball joint dust cover no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- Driveshaft joint: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.6%
- Footbrake: excessively binding0.6%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively0.6%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge9.4%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.6%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing3.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin3.3%
- Coil spring: corroded2.0%
- Suspension arm: corroded but not seriously weakened1.7%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement1.7%
- Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened1.6%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
Check a Audi TT's own MOT record
Type the registration from the advert. You'll see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.