1991 Audi Coupe — MOT failures & pass rate
253 MOT tests on the 1991 Audi Coupe are in this dataset, and 81.0% of them passed. That is 3.4 percentage points better than all cars of a similar age, which fail at 22.4%. Failures cluster in brakes, lighting & signalling and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — brakes (13.8%) and lighting & signalling (11.1%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are rbt (sp), service brake performance and catalyst emissions — rbt (sp) alone was recorded 18 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 1991 Coupe fails 17.4% of the time in the 90-120k band and 20.3% at 150k+, a spread of only 2.9 points.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 26.1% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 17.5% in 2021 to 12.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 13.8% | 35 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 11.1% | 28 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.3% | 16 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 5.5% | 14 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.7% | 12 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.6% | 9 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 18 |
| 2 | Service brake performance | 15 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 12 |
| 4 | Joints | 12 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 11 |
| 6 | Rear fog lamp | 8 |
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 | 26.1% | 66 |
| 2 | Brakes | 22.5% | 57 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 19.4% | 49 |
| 4 | Tyres | 15.0% | 38 |
| 5 | Other defects | 9.9% | 25 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.5% | 24 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 90-120k | 46 | 17.4% |
| 120-150k | 35 | 17.1% |
| 150k+ | 118 | 20.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 63 | 17.5% |
| 2022 | 57 | 17.5% |
| 2023 | 50 | 22.0% |
| 2024 | 44 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 39 | 12.8% |
What to check before buying a 1991 Coupe
On a 1991 Coupe, brakes is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.8% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Brakes (13.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (11.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (6.3% 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 1991 Audi Coupes pass their MOT?
81.0% of the 253 1991 Audi Coupe MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1991 Audi Coupe?
Brakes, recorded in 13.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (11.1%).
Does the 1991 Coupe get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 17.4% in the 90-120k band to 20.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 253 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.