2021 Audi TT — MOT failures & pass rate
5,269 MOT tests on the 2021 Audi TT are in this dataset, and 92.7% of them passed. That is effectively the same as coupes & convertibles of a similar age (7.9% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, lighting & signalling and seat belts & restraints.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests against 1.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are tread depth, headlamp aim and srs malfunction indicator lamp — tread depth alone was recorded 182 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2021 TT fails 6.7% of the time in the 0-30k band and 10.0% at 60-90k, a spread of only 3.3 points.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 22.6% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 3.2% of tests failed in 2023 against 6.9% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 5.5% | 289 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 1.2% | 64 |
| 3 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.9% | 50 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.8% | 40 |
| 5 | Brakes | 0.5% | 29 |
| 6 | Other defects | 0.4% | 23 |
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 | 182 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 59 |
| 3 | SRS malfunction indicator lamp | 50 |
| 4 | Registration plates | 39 |
| 5 | Washers | 28 |
| 6 | Shock absorbers | 17 |
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 | 22.6% | 1,190 |
| 2 | Brakes | 7.8% | 409 |
| 3 | Other defects | 4.7% | 246 |
| 4 | Visibility | 2.4% | 127 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.9% | 99 |
| 6 | Road wheels | 0.4% | 22 |
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 | 4,117 | 6.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,091 | 9.4% |
| 60-90k | 50 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 94 | 3.2% |
| 2024 | 2,570 | 7.8% |
| 2025 | 2,593 | 6.9% |
What to check before buying a 2021 TT
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 5.5% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (5.5% 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 (1.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Seat belts & restraints (0.9% of tests): Belt damage or faulty pretensioners — usually straightforward but safety-critical. Typical repair: £50–£300.
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 2021 Audi TTs pass their MOT?
92.7% of the 5,269 2021 Audi TT MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Audi TT?
Tyres, recorded in 5.5% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (1.2%).
Does the 2021 TT get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 6.7% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 60-90k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,269 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.