2009 Audi TT — MOT failures & pass rate
37,072 MOT tests on the 2009 Audi TT are in this dataset, and 80.6% of them passed. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (20.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (9.6%) and lighting & signalling (6.9%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are linkage ball joint dust cover, coil spring and tread depth — linkage ball joint dust cover alone was recorded 1,686 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 22.5% versus 11.3%.
The petrol cars hold up better: 18.6% fail against 20.8% for diesel, a 2.2-point gap across 37,072 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 26.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 9.6% | 3,548 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 6.9% | 2,539 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.9% | 1,828 |
| 4 | Brakes | 3.9% | 1,458 |
| 5 | Visibility | 3.8% | 1,399 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 3.0% | 1,107 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Linkage ball joint dust cover | 1,686 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 1,393 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 1,176 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,080 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 950 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 885 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 26.0% | 9,629 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.2% | 8,230 |
| 3 | Brakes | 16.1% | 5,964 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 6.4% | 2,380 |
| 5 | Other defects | 5.0% | 1,846 |
| 6 | Visibility | 4.3% | 1,600 |
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 | 604 | 11.3% |
| 30-60k | 4,776 | 14.3% |
| 60-90k | 11,970 | 18.5% |
| 90-120k | 11,873 | 20.8% |
| 120-150k | 5,533 | 22.2% |
| 150k+ | 2,299 | 22.5% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 23,589 | 18.6% |
| Diesel | 13,483 | 20.8% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7,702 | 19.0% |
| 2022 | 7,618 | 18.9% |
| 2023 | 7,516 | 19.4% |
| 2024 | 7,193 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 7,043 | 20.3% |
What to check before buying a 2009 TT
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 9.6% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (9.6% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (6.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.9% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2009 Audi TTs pass their MOT?
80.6% of the 37,072 2009 Audi TT MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 19.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Audi TT?
Suspension, recorded in 9.6% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (6.9%).
Does the 2009 TT get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 11.3% in the 0-30k band to 22.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 37,072 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.