2003 Audi Tt — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 33,755 MOT tests analysed for the 2003 Audi Tt, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes. Its pass rate of 72.0% was below the average for coupes & convertibles of a similar age (76.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 31.5% in the 150k+ group versus 11.4% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.3% | 5,166 |
| 2 | Suspension | 12.1% | 4,079 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.0% | 3,053 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.2% | 2,752 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.9% | 2,341 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.9% | 1,994 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 2,408 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 2,259 |
| 3 | Catalyst emissions | 2,155 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,834 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,785 |
| 6 | Coil spring | 1,742 |
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 | 37.8% | 12,741 |
| 2 | Brakes | 37.3% | 12,584 |
| 3 | Tyres | 25.3% | 8,530 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 15.7% | 5,307 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 15.5% | 5,223 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 11.2% | 3,768 |
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 | 289 | 11.4% |
| 30-60k | 1,937 | 18.3% |
| 60-90k | 7,186 | 25.5% |
| 90-120k | 12,254 | 28.8% |
| 120-150k | 8,550 | 30.2% |
| 150k+ | 3,500 | 31.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,332 | 29.2% |
| 2022 | 7,556 | 27.8% |
| 2023 | 6,844 | 28.0% |
| 2024 | 5,917 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 5,106 | 26.4% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Tt
Before buying a 2003 Audi Tt, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 15.3% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (15.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (12.1% 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.
- Brakes (9.0% 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.
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 2003 Audi Tts pass their MOT?
72.0% of the 33,755 2003 Audi Tt MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.0% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Audi Tt?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.3% of tests, followed by suspension (12.1%).
Does the 2003 Tt get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.4% in the 0-30k band to 31.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 33,755 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.