Audi Cabriolet MOT pass rate and common problems
72.3% of 2,313 Audi Cabriolet MOT tests pass.
The Cabriolet passes 72.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the average across all Audi models (84.5%).
The Audi Cabriolet passes 72.3% of the time, noticeably below the figure for the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Audi Cabriolet?
This is the average across every Audi Cabriolet in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Audi’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 73.2% at 10–15 years versus 72.2% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 6–10 years | too few tests (7) | 7 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | 73.2% | 56 | 93,001 miles |
| 15+ years | 72.2% | 2,250 | 105,894 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Audi Cabriolet
The most common reason the Audi Cabriolet fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 46.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 46.6% | Not working |
| Suspension | 34.0% | Pin or bush excessively worn |
| Brakes | 32.1% | Efficiency below requirements |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 30.6% | Carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits |
| Body, chassis, structure | 25.7% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Visibility | 17.3% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Tyres | 13.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 7.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.0% | Warning lamp indicates a fault |
| Road Wheels | 1.3% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Audi Cabriolet: what to check
These checks follow the Audi Cabriolet’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 74.8% down to 71.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 46.6% of failed Audi Cabriolet MOTs. 15.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 10–15 years.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
2. Suspension
Recorded in 34.0% of failed Audi Cabriolet MOTs. 11.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 1.8% at 10–15 years.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 32.1% of failed Audi Cabriolet MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 30.6% of failed Audi Cabriolet MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 10.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 25.7% of failed Audi Cabriolet MOTs. 8.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 1.8% at 10–15 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Audi service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Audi models
- Audi SQ5 — 93.8% pass rate
- Audi SQ7 — 93.4% pass rate
- Audi Allroad — 79.4% pass rate
- Audi 80 — 72.4% pass rate
- Audi A3 E-Tron — 86.1% pass rate
- Audi SQ8 — 95.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Audi Cabriolet?
- 72.3% of Audi Cabriolet MOT tests pass, based on 2,313 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Audi Cabriolet?
- The most common reason the Audi Cabriolet fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 46.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Audi Cabriolet?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Audi Cabriolet are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 15.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 1.8% at 10–15 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Audi Cabriolet?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks; bodywork and corrosion. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Audi Cabriolet's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Audi service history guide for how to check and keep one.