2006 Audi TT: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2006 Audi TT?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2006 Audi TT than on all cars registered in 2006.

• Drive shaft (CV) joints1.9× usual
  Audi TT

  14% All 2006 cars

  7.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.9%, against 3.3% of all 2006 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.

• Engine warning light2× usual
  Audi TT

  5.5% All 2006 cars

  2.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.5%, against 2.7% of all 2006 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.

• Link ball joint covers1.6× usual
  Audi TT

  5.6% All 2006 cars

  3.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 1.9% of all 2006 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  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.

• Airbag warning light2.3× usual
  Audi TT

  3.2% All 2006 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 1.3% of all 2006 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 2006 Audi TT MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2006 Audi TT MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  39% 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
  30% 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.

• Tyres
  30% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Driveshafts and joints
  14% of testsRough price £60–£350

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

• Exhaust and emissions
  10% 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.

Known faults on the 2006 Audi TT

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Oil pressure warning (diesel)

  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)

• Weak pulling on a low tank

  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)

  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

  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)

• Heater fan cutting out

  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

  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)

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2006 Audi TT

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

1. Has it ever shown an oil pressure warning?
2. Any recent work on the drive shaft (cv) joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.9× as often on the 2006 Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the engine warning light? (Flagged at MOT 2× as often on the 2006 Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the link ball joint covers? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2006 Audi TT as on other cars the same age.)
5. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?