2003 Audi TT: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2003 Audi TT?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2003 Audi TT than on all cars registered in 2003.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints2.2× usual
  Audi TT

  18.9% All 2003 cars

  8.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4%, against 1.9% of all 2003 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) joints1.8× usual
  Audi TT

  11.7% All 2003 cars

  6.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5%, against 2.9% of all 2003 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× usual
  Audi TT

  9.4% All 2003 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0.3% of all 2003 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.

• Suspension arm1.8× usual
  Audi TT

  5.9% All 2003 cars

  3.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.4% of all 2003 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.

• Engine warning light1.8× usual
  Audi TT

  4.9% All 2003 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 2.7% of all 2003 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

Common 2003 Audi TT MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2003 Audi TT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  48% 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
  40% 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
  34% 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
  29% 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
  14% 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
  12% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2003 Audi TT

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

1. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 2.2× as often on the 2003 Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2003 Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2003 Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?