2004 Audi TT — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 32,502 MOT tests, the 2004 Audi TT recorded a 73.1% pass rate. That is 4.5 percentage points worse than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 22.4%. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (14.2%) and suspension (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, headlamp aim and malfunction indicator lamp — position lamp alone was recorded 2,473 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 32.5% versus 11.1%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 36.9% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 27.7% in 2021 to 26.0% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 14.2% | 4,611 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 3,758 |
| 3 | Brakes | 9.1% | 2,946 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 8.4% | 2,730 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.5% | 2,112 |
| 6 | Tyres | 5.4% | 1,750 |
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 | 2,473 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 1,845 |
| 3 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 1,808 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 1,679 |
| 5 | Coil spring | 1,618 |
| 6 | Joints | 1,511 |
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 | 36.9% | 12,004 |
| 2 | Brakes | 36.2% | 11,771 |
| 3 | Tyres | 24.6% | 7,986 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.2% | 5,248 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 14.6% | 4,751 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 9.1% | 2,966 |
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 | 370 | 11.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,566 | 17.5% |
| 60-90k | 7,875 | 23.6% |
| 90-120k | 11,761 | 28.5% |
| 120-150k | 7,232 | 30.0% |
| 150k+ | 2,671 | 32.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,724 | 27.7% |
| 2022 | 7,166 | 26.3% |
| 2023 | 6,549 | 26.9% |
| 2024 | 5,868 | 27.6% |
| 2025 | 5,195 | 26.0% |
What to check before buying a 2004 TT
On a 2004 TT, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 14.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (14.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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.
- Brakes (9.1% 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 2004 Audi TTs pass their MOT?
73.1% of the 32,502 2004 Audi TT MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2004 Audi TT?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 14.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2004 TT get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.1% in the 0-30k band to 32.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 32,502 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.