1999 Audi Cabriolet — MOT failures & pass rate
1,021 MOT tests on the 1999 Audi Cabriolet are in this dataset, and 76.1% of them passed. Against all cars of a similar age (26.2% fail rate), the 1999 Cabriolet comes out 2.3pp better. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests against 8.9% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are catalyst emissions, pins and bushes and headlamp aim — catalyst emissions alone was recorded 94 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 26.8% versus 21.3%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 32.4% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 25.3% in 2021 to 20.4% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 12.0% | 123 |
| 2 | Suspension | 8.9% | 91 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.6% | 78 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 7.4% | 76 |
| 5 | Brakes | 6.1% | 62 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.7% | 58 |
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 | 94 |
| 2 | Pins and bushes | 65 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 47 |
| 4 | Joints | 47 |
| 5 | Wipers | 34 |
| 6 | Washers | 32 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 32.4% | 331 |
| 2 | Suspension | 30.6% | 312 |
| 3 | Tyres | 21.0% | 214 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 151 |
| 5 | Other defects | 14.7% | 150 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 121 |
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 | 61 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 229 | 21.4% |
| 90-120k | 368 | 24.2% |
| 120-150k | 252 | 26.6% |
| 150k+ | 97 | 26.8% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 253 | 25.3% |
| 2022 | 242 | 25.2% |
| 2023 | 199 | 23.1% |
| 2024 | 165 | 24.2% |
| 2025 | 162 | 20.4% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Cabriolet
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 12.0% of tests. Start there.
- 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 (8.9% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (7.6% 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+.
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 1999 Audi Cabriolets pass their MOT?
76.1% of the 1,021 1999 Audi Cabriolet MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Audi Cabriolet?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 12.0% of tests, followed by suspension (8.9%).
Does the 1999 Cabriolet get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.3% in the 30-60k band to 26.8% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,021 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.