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 338,599 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
The 2026 Audi TT
Cars registered in 2026 haven’t had their first MOT yet (it’s due at 3 years old), so there are no MOT results to show. There are no known faults on record for this year in the UK buying guides we use, so the rest of this page covers the Audi TT as a whole.
What to check on a 2026 car
- Warranty left
Ask for the date it was first registered and check how much of the maker’s warranty is left, and that it transfers to you. Electric and hybrid batteries usually have a longer, separate warranty.
- Servicing
Servicing on time with the maker’s schedule keeps the warranty valid. Ask for the service book or the dealer’s digital record.
- Finance
Nearly new cars are often still on finance. A history check shows outstanding finance, and whether it has been written off or stolen.
- Recalls
Ask whether any recall work has been done, and check the reg on GOV.UK’s free recall checker.
- Logbook (V5C)
The name and address should match the seller, and the VIN on the V5C should match the car.
Other years
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.
- Cars registered 2015–2024 · Some cars
Airbag recalls
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.
- Cars registered 2006–2014 · Diesel
Oil pressure warning (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.
- Cars registered 2015–2019 · Built 2014 to 2019
Fuel tank recall (built Apr 2014 to May 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.
- Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines
Weak pulling on a low tank
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.
- Cars registered 2006–2014 · 2.0 TFSI petrol
Humming from the engine (2.0 TFSI)
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.
- Cars registered 2006–2014 · S tronic automatic
S tronic software recall
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.
- Cars registered 2015–2024 · All engines
Air con faults
7% of cars in What Car?'s 2025 survey had an air con fault.
At the viewing: Make sure it blows properly cold.
- Cars registered 2015–2024 · Earlier cars
Worn seat bolsters and squeaky brakes (early 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.
- Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines
Heater fan cutting out
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.
- Cars registered 2006–2014 · All engines
Creaking steering
Dry front strut bump stops creak when turning at low speed.
At the viewing: Turn the wheel while moving slowly and listen.
Common Audi TT MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, for each fuel on its own. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Petrol
Suspension arm
up to 4.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Link ball joint covers
up to 2.3× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
Diesel
Suspension arm
up to 6.5× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.
Link ball joint covers
up to 2.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
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.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 92% | 89% +3 | 2,678 |
| 2021 | 91% | 87% +4 | 4,840 |
| 2020 | 91% | 87% +4 | 8,985 |
| 2019 | 91% | 85% +6 | 13,661 |
| 2018 | 90% | 83% +7 | 12,268 |
| 2017 | 89% | 80% +9 | 22,028 |
| 2016 | 88% | 77% +11 | 27,336 |
| 2015 | 86% | 74% +12 | 25,597 |
| 2014 | 83% | 70% +13 | 11,780 |
| 2013 | 83% | 67% +16 | 18,841 |
| 2012 | 81% | 64% +17 | 16,689 |
| 2011 | 76% | 62% +14 | 19,042 |
| 2010 | 72% | 60% +12 | 19,131 |
| 2009 | 72% | 59% +13 | 17,769 |
| 2008 | 68% | 57% +11 | 21,188 |
| 2007 | 66% | 57% +9 | 23,285 |
| 2006 | 61% | 56% +5 | 8,624 |
| 2005 | 60% | 57% +3 | 10,650 |
| 2004 | 60% | 57% +3 | 13,682 |
| 2003 | 59% | 57% +2 | 13,932 |
| 2002 | 59% | 58% +1 | 12,176 |
| 2001 | 59% | 60% -1 | 8,181 |
| 2000 | 59% | 61% -2 | 5,215 |
| 1999 | 59% | 63% -4 | 1,021 |
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.
- Have the airbag recalls been done?
- Has it ever shown an oil pressure warning?
- Has the fuel tank shield been fitted?
- 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.)
- 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.)
- 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