1997 Audi Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
778 MOT tests on the 1997 Audi Cabriolet are in this dataset, and 75.1% of them passed. That is effectively the same as all cars of a similar age (25.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.4%) and body, structure & corrosion (9.4%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, joints and pins and bushes — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 72 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 22.0% once past 150k.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 34.7% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.2% in 2021 to 22.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.4% | 89 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.4% | 73 |
| 3 | Suspension | 9.0% | 70 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.7% | 68 |
| 5 | Brakes | 7.2% | 56 |
| 6 | Visibility | 6.3% | 49 |
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 | 72 |
| 2 | Joints | 48 |
| 3 | Pins and bushes | 45 |
| 4 | Wipers | 43 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 30 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 28 |
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 | 34.7% | 270 |
| 2 | Brakes | 29.7% | 231 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.8% | 162 |
| 4 | Other defects | 17.3% | 135 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 17.2% | 134 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.6% | 129 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 57 | 14.0% |
| 60-90k | 192 | 20.8% |
| 90-120k | 274 | 28.1% |
| 120-150k | 180 | 29.4% |
| 150k+ | 59 | 22.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 180 | 27.2% |
| 2022 | 175 | 26.9% |
| 2023 | 154 | 24.7% |
| 2024 | 141 | 22.0% |
| 2025 | 128 | 22.7% |
What to check before buying a 1997 Cabriolet
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.4% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.4% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (9.4% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (9.0% 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.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1997 Audi Cabriolets pass their MOT?
75.1% of the 778 1997 Audi Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1997 Audi Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.4% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (9.4%).
Does the 1997 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.0% in the 30-60k band to 22.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 778 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.