1998 Audi Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
The 1998 Audi Cabriolet passed 74.2% of its 922 recorded MOT tests. All cars of a similar age fail at 25.6%, so the 1998 Cabriolet sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (12.0%) and suspension (10.6%) 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 headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 92 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 19.7% in the 30-60k band and 33.9% in the 150k+ band, a 14.1-point spread.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 37.3% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 111 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.6% | 98 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 9.0% | 83 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.8% | 81 |
| 5 | Brakes | 8.5% | 78 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.8% | 44 |
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 | 92 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 51 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 42 |
| 4 | Joints | 41 |
| 5 | Flexible brake hoses | 33 |
| 6 | Exhaust system | 30 |
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 | 37.3% | 344 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.7% | 311 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.7% | 200 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 19.1% | 176 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.7% | 126 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.3% | 123 |
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 | 76 | 19.7% |
| 60-90k | 232 | 22.4% |
| 90-120k | 309 | 25.9% |
| 120-150k | 174 | 27.6% |
| 150k+ | 121 | 33.9% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 213 | 26.8% |
| 2022 | 205 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 191 | 27.2% |
| 2024 | 159 | 25.2% |
| 2025 | 154 | 25.3% |
What to check before buying a 1998 Cabriolet
On a 1998 Cabriolet, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 12.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (12.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.6% 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 (9.0% 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
How many 1998 Audi Cabriolets pass their MOT?
74.2% of the 922 1998 Audi Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1998 Audi Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by suspension (10.6%).
Does the 1998 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 19.7% in the 30-60k band to 33.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 922 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.