Sports car and convertible · 1998–2021 cars

Audi TT reliability

The Audi TT fails 22.6% of first MOT tests, 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 423,844 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Better than averageReliability score 76/100#37 of 62 sports car and convertibles

Checking a Audi TT before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 22.6%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 29% fewer; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 423,844; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 7,000; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Audi TT has a first-time MOT fail rate of 22.6%, against 28.4% for all cars. It has 29% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. It ranks 37 of 62 sports car and convertible models. The 2012 model year did best, with 48% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage. The 1999 model year was weakest, with 6% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

A TT can be a good buy if you check the right things. The most common MOT failures are a position lamp not working (2.21% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.14%), a fractured or broken coil spring (2.05%) and an engine warning light inoperative or lit (1.62%). Before you buy, check every light, the tyre depth, the springs and the engine warning light.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Audi TT ages

Each point is the share of Audi TTs of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Audi TTAll cars

Audi TT first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Audi TT	All cars
3	7.8%	12.3%
4	7.6%	14.1%
5	8.7%	16.4%
6	10.1%	19.1%
7	11.1%	22.1%
8	12.1%	25.5%
9	14.3%	28.8%
10	16.2%	31.8%
11	18.5%	34.6%
12	22.7%	37.3%
13	25.9%	39.5%
14	28.2%	41.1%
15	29.6%	42.3%
16	32.1%	42.9%
17	36.2%	43.4%
18	39.1%	43.5%
19	40.7%	43.4%
20	42.2%	42.8%
21	40.6%	41.4%
22	39.7%	40.6%
23	39.1%	38.9%
24	39.2%	37.1%

By year

The best and worst Audi TT years

2012 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Audi TT MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2021 TT	1,345	10%	4% fewer fails	20,221
2020 TT	8,423	7.8%	30% fewer fails	23,255
2019 TT	15,869	7.4%	40% fewer fails	26,141
2018 TT	16,319	8%	44% fewer fails	32,110
2017 TT	29,254	9.4%	43% fewer fails	38,947
2016 TT	35,724	10.4%	47% fewer fails	46,423
2015 TT	34,389	12%	48% fewer fails	54,407
2014 TT	15,037	14.3%	46% fewer fails	59,337
2013 TT	23,626	15.1%	48% fewer fails	65,573
2012 TT	20,745	16.8%	48% fewer fails	73,012
2011 TT	24,474	21.3%	40% fewer fails	80,205
2010 TT	23,992	24.9%	35% fewer fails	87,350
2009 TT	22,864	25.9%	36% fewer fails	93,166
2008 TT	27,155	29.7%	29% fewer fails	96,843
2007 TT	29,946	31.6%	26% fewer fails	100,592
2006 TT	10,759	37.2%	14% fewer fails	102,847
2005 TT	13,227	38.9%	10% fewer fails	98,638
2004 TT	17,446	39.5%	10% fewer fails	103,848
2003 TT	18,010	40.7%	7% fewer fails	108,794
2002 TT	16,101	41.8%	4% fewer fails	114,892
2001 TT	10,805	41.3%	3% fewer fails	117,442
2000 TT	6,673	40.7%	1% fewer fails	117,060
1999 TT	1,631	43%	6% more fails	125,704

Common problems

What fails most on a Audi TT

Failures by area, against cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Lights and electrics8%41% below avg
Suspension6.8%38% below avg
Tyres5.6%10% below avg
Brakes5.2%36% below avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%11% below avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.1%42% below avg
Body, chassis and structure2.8%40% below avg
Seat belts and airbags1.1%18% below avg
Steering0.9%60% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Position lamp not working 2.21% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.14% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Coil spring fractured or broken 2.05% of tests
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit 1.62% of tests
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
5
CV joint boot split or insecure 1.56% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
6
Anti-roll bar linkage dust cover unsealed 1.27% of tests
A damaged dust cover lets dirt into the linkage joint, speeding wear and possibly needing a future repair.
7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.17% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
8
Tyre ply or cords exposed 1.04% of tests
Exposed ply or cords can let the tyre fail suddenly, so the tyre must be replaced before the car is driven.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Audi TT's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit12.44%
Brake disc pitted or scored7.3%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.88%
Brake pads wearing thin4.48%
Brake pipes corroded and greasy3.68%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear3.63%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Audi TT

1
Position lamp not working
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
2
Tyre tread below 1.6mm
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
3
Coil spring fractured or broken
A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.
4
Engine warning light inoperative or lit
An engine warning light that is lit or not working can hide faults, so diagnosis is needed before buying.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Audi TT covers about 7,000 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol83.4%
Diesel16.6%
LPG0%
Electric0%

Most common colours

Black, White, Grey, Blue, Silver

Average engine size: 2.0 litres.

Compare

How the Audi TT compares with its rivals

Audi TT against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Porsche 911	10.4%	62% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz SL	15.3%	51% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Porsche Boxster	16.4%	48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
BMW Z4	22.2%	33% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Audi TT	22.6%	29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mercedes-Benz SLK	25.9%	21% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mazda MX-5	25.3%	16% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age

Every sports car and convertible ranked in the sports car and convertible reliability index, or all Audi models.

Questions

Audi TT questions, answered

Is the Audi TT reliable?

On MOT results, the Audi TT is better than average: it fails 22.6% of first MOT tests, 29% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 37 of 62 sports car and convertible models in our index.

What fails most on a Audi TT MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Audi TT are position lamp not working (2.21% of tests), tyre tread below 1.6mm (2.14% of tests), coil spring fractured or broken (2.05% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 8% of its tests.

Which Audi TT year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2012 cars do best (48% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (6% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Audi TT do a year?

A typical Audi TT covers about 7,000 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Audi TT before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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