Audi Cabriolet Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Audi Cabriolet car check
Is the Audi Cabriolet reliable? We analysed 87,077 real MOT tests across 6,173 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Audi Cabriolet? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Audi Cabriolet is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm, constant velocity joint gaiter split and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Audi Cabriolet.
Audi Cabriolet Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Audi Cabriolet. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Audi Cabriolet MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Audi Cabriolet to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Audi Cabriolet Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Audi Cabriolet fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Audi Cabriolet Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Audi Cabriolet owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Audi Cabriolet MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Audi Cabriolet year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 72 | 81.9% | 53,836 | 71,800 | 90,334 |
| 2011 | 74 | 78.4% | 48,477 | 66,356 | 78,482 |
| 2010 | 131 | 80.2% | 35,520 | 54,265 | 80,660 |
| 2009 | 442 | 77.6% | 41,894 | 64,002 | 90,007 |
| 2008 | 548 | 80.1% | 36,814 | 55,718 | 77,058 |
| 2007 | 268 | 78.0% | 41,732 | 66,147 | 101,539 |
| 2006 | 239 | 79.1% | 41,835 | 63,073 | 84,212 |
| 2005 | 398 | 70.4% | 49,705 | 77,472 | 96,929 |
| 2004 | 81 | 67.9% | 43,609 | 51,850 | 77,177 |
| 2003 | 222 | 76.1% | 50,245 | 71,114 | 99,391 |
| 2002 | 91 | 72.5% | 50,581 | 64,325 | 97,018 |
| 2001 | 149 | 73.2% | 54,676 | 75,822 | 107,181 |
| 2000 | 9,805 | 69.8% | 63,801 | 85,028 | 107,212 |
| 1999 | 11,735 | 68.1% | 70,185 | 91,286 | 114,646 |
| 1998 | 10,131 | 68.4% | 69,924 | 91,556 | 114,289 |
| 1997 | 9,372 | 68.1% | 73,898 | 94,567 | 116,770 |
| 1996 | 11,773 | 66.1% | 80,500 | 101,218 | 123,787 |
| 1995 | 13,368 | 65.5% | 84,664 | 104,275 | 125,898 |
| 1994 | 10,088 | 65.6% | 86,254 | 107,575 | 128,389 |
| 1993 | 6,062 | 65.8% | 90,866 | 111,184 | 130,014 |
How Long Does a Audi Cabriolet Last?
Based on 6,173 Audi Cabriolet vehicles on UK roads.
Audi Cabriolet Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Audi Cabriolet MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Audi Cabriolet
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
81.9% MOT pass rate from 72 tests
65.1% MOT pass rate from 1,727 tests
The best year to buy a used Audi Cabriolet is 2012, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 81.9% across 72 tests. The 1992 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.1% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Audi Cabriolet Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi Cabriolet THIS CAR | 67.5% | 87,077 | 97,570 mi | 34 yrs |
| Audi A3 | 78% | 7,415,025 | 78,776 mi | 29 yrs |
| Audi A4 | 76.1% | 7,096,957 | 96,834 mi | 31 yrs |
| Audi A6 | 78.4% | 2,724,792 | 98,890 mi | 31 yrs |
| Yamaha Yzf R6 | 83% | 102,114 | 14,690 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Audi A3 (78.0% pass rate) and the Audi A4 (76.1% pass rate), the Audi Cabriolet trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Audi Cabriolet you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Audi CabrioletShould you buy a used Audi Cabriolet?
The Audi Cabriolet has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.5% across 87,077 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Audi Cabriolet are tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (3,990 recorded failures), constant velocity joint gaiter split (2,986), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (2,545). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Audi Cabriolet owner drives around 3,042 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Audi Cabriolet models stay on UK roads for around 34 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.