2016 Audi TT — MOT failures & pass rate
50,271 MOT tests on the 2016 Audi TT are in this dataset, and 91.5% of them passed. That is 2.3 percentage points better than coupes & convertibles of a similar age, which fail at 10.8%. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (4.8%) and lighting & signalling (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, registration plate lamp(s) and headlamp aim — tread depth alone was recorded 1,659 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 5.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 24.1% once past 150k — 4.6× the risk.
The petrol cars hold up better: 8.0% fail against 10.2% for diesel, a 2.2-point gap across 50,271 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 23.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 9.7% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 4.8% | 2,428 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 2.3% | 1,137 |
| 3 | Brakes | 1.6% | 803 |
| 4 | Visibility | 1.3% | 628 |
| 5 | Suspension | 0.7% | 349 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.5% | 276 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tread depth | 1,659 |
| 2 | Registration plate lamp(s) | 644 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 505 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 472 |
| 5 | Wipers | 423 |
| 6 | Brake discs | 378 |
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 | 23.2% | 11,664 |
| 2 | Brakes | 17.7% | 8,909 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.2% | 2,122 |
| 4 | Suspension | 4.0% | 2,027 |
| 5 | Visibility | 2.8% | 1,410 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.1% | 554 |
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 | 10,590 | 5.2% |
| 30-60k | 26,806 | 8.1% |
| 60-90k | 10,502 | 11.6% |
| 90-120k | 2,036 | 14.9% |
| 120-150k | 278 | 15.8% |
| 150k+ | 54 | 24.1% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 38,910 | 8.0% |
| Diesel | 11,361 | 10.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,002 | 6.5% |
| 2022 | 10,026 | 7.7% |
| 2023 | 10,106 | 8.9% |
| 2024 | 10,086 | 9.9% |
| 2025 | 10,051 | 9.7% |
What to check before buying a 2016 TT
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 4.8% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (4.8% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (2.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (1.6% 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 2016 Audi TTs pass their MOT?
91.5% of the 50,271 2016 Audi TT MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2016 Audi TT?
Tyres, recorded in 4.8% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (2.3%).
Does the 2016 TT get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.2% in the 0-30k band to 24.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 50,271 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.