Audi Cabriolet MOT pass rate & common failures
Across 30 model years and 7,308 tests, the Audi Cabriolet passes its MOT 75.5% of the time. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.2%, so the Cabriolet sits squarely on the average. Its most common failure areas are lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.7%) and suspension (8.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, pins and bushes and joints — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 734 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 11.0% in the 0-30k band and 29.2% in the 150k+ band, a 18.2-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.5% in 2021 to 22.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
By model year
Every Cabriolet model year with a usable sample. Years with their own detailed report are linked.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate | Fail rate | Most common failure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 102 | 76.5% | 23.5% | Brakes |
| 1993 | 421 | 74.4% | 25.7% | Emissions & environmental |
| 1994 | 543 | 74.4% | 25.6% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1995 | 894 | 72.6% | 27.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1996 | 845 | 74.9% | 25.1% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1997 | 778 | 75.1% | 24.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1998 | 922 | 74.2% | 25.8% | Lighting & signalling |
| 1999 | 1,021 | 76.1% | 23.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2000 | 1,093 | 77.6% | 22.4% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2005 | 55 | 72.7% | 27.3% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2006 | 58 | 75.9% | 24.1% | Tyres |
| 2007 | 82 | 78.0% | 21.9% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2008 | 159 | 78.0% | 22.0% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2009 | 130 | 78.5% | 21.5% | Lighting & signalling |
| 2010 | 55 | 85.5% | 14.5% | Suspension |
Most common failures (all years)
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.7% | 858 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.8% | 642 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 8.4% | 611 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.1% | 592 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.4% | 541 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 388 |
| 7 | Tyres | 3.6% | 265 |
| 8 | Steering | 2.8% | 202 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalyst emissions | 734 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 335 |
| 3 | Joints | 334 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 285 |
| 5 | Wipers | 248 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 229 |
| 7 | Washers | 228 |
| 8 | Position lamp | 210 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 34.5% | 2,523 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.8% | 2,247 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.6% | 1,581 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 1,074 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.7% | 1,003 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.7% | 999 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 91 | 11.0% |
| 30-60k | 593 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 1,592 | 21.0% |
| 90-120k | 2,658 | 24.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,611 | 27.9% |
| 150k+ | 758 | 29.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 7,173 | 24.6% |
| Diesel | 134 | 17.9% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,792 | 25.5% |
| 2022 | 1,695 | 25.8% |
| 2023 | 1,436 | 24.2% |
| 2024 | 1,216 | 23.0% |
| 2025 | 1,169 | 22.8% |
What to check before buying a Audi Cabriolet
- Lighting & signalling (11.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (8.8% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (8.4% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi Cabriolet?
75.5% of the 7,308 Audi Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed, a 24.5% fail rate, across model years 1992–2021.
What does the Audi Cabriolet most often fail its MOT on?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.7% of tests, then suspension (8.8%).
How much does mileage affect Cabriolet MOT results?
Fail rates run at 11.0% for cars in the 0-30k band and 29.2% for 150k+, a 18.2-point difference.
Methodology & source. Based on 7,308 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.