Used car guide

2001 Audi TT: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Audi TTs, from 2,317 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

2,317MOT tests in 2025
61%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
4,900typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for suspension arm bushes and joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Audi TTs than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints2.8× usual
    Audi TT
    20.7% All 2001 cars
    7.5%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Drive shaft (CV) joints2.5× usual
    Audi TT
    15.5% All 2001 cars
    6.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.4%, against 2.7% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£350 our estimate

    At the viewing: Drive slowly on full steering lock in both directions and listen for clicking. Look for split rubber boots behind the front wheels.

  • Sub-frame2.6× usual
    Audi TT
    12.6% All 2001 cars
    4.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.2% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Headlights1.7× usual
    Audi TT
    15.1% All 2001 cars
    9.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 3.5% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

  • Exhaust emissions (catalyst)2.6× usual
    Audi TT
    8.2% All 2001 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 8%, against 3.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.

Better than most

Rust around suspension or steering mountings: 1.5% here, against 7.8% of all 2001 cars. Chassis rust or damage: 0.9% here, against 4.9% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Audi TT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    50% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    42% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    35% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Tyres
    27% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    16% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Driveshafts and joints
    16% of testsRough price £60–£350

    At the viewing: On full steering lock, drive slowly and listen for clicking from the front wheels.

Looking at a Audi TT?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20222,600Tyres 26%
20212,437Tyres 26%
20203,005Tyres 29%
20194,639Tyres 28%
20184,133Tyres 27%
20177,434Tyres 28%
20169,169Tyres 28%
20158,561Tyres 28%
20143,926Tyres 28%
20136,309Tyres 29%
20125,542Tyres 29%
20116,259Tyres 30%
20106,276Suspension 35%
20095,764Suspension 35%
20086,783Suspension 37%
20077,379Suspension 38%
20062,697Suspension 42%
20053,275Suspension 48%
20044,129Suspension 48%
20034,107Suspension 48%
20023,499Suspension 49%
20001,469Suspension 49%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Audi TTs registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score