Used car guide · 1999–2026

Audi TT common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong on a used Audi TT, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 338,661 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.

338,661MOTs done in 2023–2025, all years of this model
123,738on the UK register
10known faults across all years
2012best year at its MOT

Pick the year

Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).

202620242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008200720062005200420032002200120001999

What usually goes wrong with an Audi TT?

Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.

  • Airbag recalls

    Cars registered 2015–2024 · Some cars

    Recalls covered front airbag gas generators that could burst and curtain airbags that might not protect properly.

    At the viewing: Ask an Audi dealer to check the VIN for outstanding recalls.

    Source: What Car?: used Audi TT (2014-2024) reliability

  • Oil pressure warning (diesel)

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · Diesel

    A leaking oil filter cover or housing can drop the oil pressure on the diesel TT.

    At the viewing: Check the oil level, make sure the oil light goes out, and look for leaks around the oil filter.

    Source: Haynes: Audi TT Mk2 common problems (2006-2014)

  • Fuel tank recall (built Apr 2014 to May 2019)

    Cars registered 2015–2019 · Built 2014 to 2019

    The fuel tank could be damaged in a crash. Cars built 29 April 2014 to 24 May 2019 need a shield fitted.

    At the viewing: Ask an Audi dealer to confirm the recall was done.

    Source: What Car?: used Audi TT (2014-2024) reliability

  • Weak pulling on a low tank

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines

    Dirt in the fuel pump can blunt the performance when the tank is below a quarter. The fix is cleaning the tank and a new pump.

    At the viewing: Ask whether it feels flat when the fuel is low.

    Source: Haynes: Audi TT Mk2 common problems (2006-2014)

  • Humming from the engine (2.0 TFSI)

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · 2.0 TFSI petrol

    Air in the cooling system makes a hum. Bleeding it usually fixes it; if not, the coolant pump needs replacing.

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum at idle once warm.

    Source: Haynes: Audi TT Mk2 common problems (2006-2014)

  • S tronic software recall

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · S tronic automatic

    A false temperature reading could make the S tronic gearbox lose drive. A software update fixed it.

    At the viewing: Ask for proof the recall was done.

    Source: Haynes: Audi TT Mk2 common problems (2006-2014)

  • Air con faults

    Cars registered 2015–2024 · All engines

    7% of cars in What Car?'s 2025 survey had an air con fault.

    At the viewing: Make sure it blows properly cold.

    Source: What Car?: used Audi TT (2014-2024) reliability

  • Worn seat bolsters and squeaky brakes (early cars)

    Cars registered 2015–2024 · Earlier cars

    Earlier cars can have worn leather seat bolsters and squeaky front brake pads.

    At the viewing: Look at the seat edges and listen when braking.

    Source: What Car?: used Audi TT (2014-2024) reliability

  • Heater fan cutting out

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines

    The blower motor can stop and start again by itself. The fix is a new motor.

    At the viewing: Run the fan on every speed for a few minutes.

    Source: Haynes: Audi TT Mk2 common problems (2006-2014)

  • Creaking steering

    Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines

    Dry front strut bump stops creak when turning at low speed.

    At the viewing: Turn the wheel while moving slowly and listen.

    Source: Haynes: Audi TT Mk2 common problems (2006-2014)

Common Audi TT MOT failures to check

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.

  • Suspension arm

    up to 5.4× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2002, 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

    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) joints

    up to 2.6× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

    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.

  • Suspension arm bushes and joints

    up to 3.1× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

    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.

  • Engine warning light

    up to 2.3× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

    Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

  • Link ball joint covers

    up to 2.2× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Sub-frame

    up to 2.7× usual

    Stands out on cars registered in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

    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.

Audi TT MOT pass rate by year

Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2012 Audi TT did best (81% passed first time, 17 points above all 2012 cars) and the 2022 did worst (92%, 3 points above all 2022 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.

YearPass first timeAll cars that yearMOT tests
202292%89% +32,678
202191%87% +44,840
202091%87% +48,985
201991%85% +613,661
201890%83% +712,268
201789%80% +922,028
201688%77% +1127,336
201586%74% +1225,597
201483%70% +1311,780
201383%67% +1618,841
201281%64% +1716,692
201176%62% +1419,042
201072%60% +1219,134
200972%59% +1317,769
200868%57% +1121,188
200766%57% +923,299
200661%56% +58,629
200560%57% +310,655
200460%57% +313,688
200359%57% +213,934
200259%58% +112,180
200159%60% -18,194
200059%61% -25,222
199959%63% -41,021

Questions to ask the seller before buying an Audi TT

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Have the airbag recalls been done?
  2. Has it ever shown an oil pressure warning?
  3. Has the fuel tank shield been fitted?
  4. Any recent work on the suspension arm? (Flagged at MOT 5.4× as often on the Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
  5. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.6× as often on the Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
  6. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)

Looking at an Audi TT?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score